Lams Lamina may no longer be the first name called during introductions, but she remains one of the most important pieces of the NU Lady Bulldogs.
Through the early stretch of the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament, head coach Regine Diego has opted to start younger setter Abigail Pono. Yet when the pressure rises, it is often Lamina’s steady presence that settles the floor.
That was exactly the case in NU’s dramatic reverse sweep of the FEU Lady Tamaraws.
After dropping the first two sets, 17-25 and 16-25, Lamina entered in the third frame and immediately helped stabilize the offense. The Lady Bulldogs clawed their way back to complete the comeback, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12, to remain unbeaten in the tournament.
“Sa first two sets po talaga, nag-slow down kami, and also mas nababantayan ‘yung dulo-dulo naming spikers, open hitters, and opposite. So ayun po, pagpasok ko po, in-adjust ko po agad, which is binigay ko po agad sa mga middles,” Lamina said after tallying 19 excellent sets.
“Simula nung natalo kami ng two sets, nag-slow down talaga kami doon at nag-adjust sa pasa. Then, ang ni-remind ko lang palagi sa mga teammates ko, nung pinasok po ako is kailangan natin maging composed hanggang sa dulo.”
Lams Lamina Facing Uncharted Waters
NU leaned heavily on Arah Panique, who erupted for a career-high 27 points. Vange Alinsug added 15 markers, while Sam Cantada was limited to 11. Middle blockers Chams Maaya and Alexa Mata chipped in nine and seven points, respectively.
For Lamina, Season 88 represents unfamiliar territory.
Since her rookie year in Season 84, she had been the Lady Bulldogs’ primary starter. Now serving as a support setter to Pono in her final season, Lamina has embraced the adjustment without hesitation.
“For me naman, since bagong role ko ‘to, ang sinasabi ko lang sa sarili ko is ready lang ako kahit anong mangyari. Kung sino man bubunutin samin ng mga teammates ko, always ready lang kami,” she said.
“Actually, kung sino naman po ipasok sa amin per game, ready lang din po kami. So, ‘yun lang naman po.”
Starter or not, Lamina’s mindset remains unchanged: contribute, stabilize, and win.
Lamina and the Lady Bulldogs aim to preserve their perfect record when they face the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Saturday, February 28, at 5:00 p.m. at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.
