When the going gets tough, National University can always count on the cool and composed Camilla Lamina to steady a disorganized squad on the floor.
The perfect scenario for the two-time UAAP Best Setter to showcase her pedigree came when the Lady Bulldogs fell into a two-set hole against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws on Saturday, dropping the first two frames, 25-17 and 25-16.
Head coach Regine Diego then handed Lamina the playmaking duties to start the third set — a move that sparked NU’s resurgence and eventual 17-25, 16-25, 25-19, 25-21, 15-12 reverse sweep. The victory lifted the Lady Bulldogs to a 3-0 record in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Lamina dished out 19 excellent sets as NU leaned on Arah Panique’s 27 points, Vange Alinsug’s 15, and Sam Cantada’s 11 to fend off the Lady Tamaraws.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“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, inadjust ko po agad, which is binigay ko po agad sa mga middles,” said Lamina, as Chams Maaya and Alexa Mata added nine and seven points, respectively.
Her leadership was evident as she kept talking to her teammates after the first two sets, urging them to stay in the fight.
“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,” she added.
Being the team’s calming presence has become Lamina’s new role this season, as she has come off the bench in all three games so far, with Abe Pono taking over the starting duties.
For Lamina, who has been NU’s starting setter since her rookie year in Season 84, it is simply about staying ready — especially in her new capacity as the one tasked to steady the team.
“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,” said the fifth-year playmaker from Guimaras.
“Actually, kung sino naman po ipasok sa amin per game, ready lang din po kami. So yun lang naman po.”
#WATCH: ALWAYS READY LANG AKO 🐶
Lams Lamina, figuring in an unfamiliar role as NU’s second setter, just keeps ready when her number is called 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/3NswUtLcDO
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/1oqoE5KTpJ
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) February 21, 2026
