The growing rivalry between the University of Santo Tomas and National University owes much to the offensive masterclass each squad displays night in and night out.
For the Golden Tigresses, Regina Jurado and Angge Poyos lead the charge. Meanwhile, Alyssa Solomon, Bella Belen, and Vange Alinsug provide ample firepower for the Lady Bulldogs.
However, such brilliance on offense would not be possible without the steady hands of Lams Lamina and Cassie Carballo — two of the last three UAAP Best Setter awardees.
The two have masterfully orchestrated their respective teams’ attacks, keeping NU and UST at the summit of the UAAP Season 87 Women’s Volleyball Tournament.
Now in college, Lamina and Carballo are the conductors of what has the potential to become one of the most storied rivalries in UAAP women’s volleyball.
In an intense battle of floor generals on Sunday night, the Lady Bulldogs and the Golden Tigresses engaged in a grueling five-set affair — a rematch of the Season 86 Finals.
This time, Lamina had the last laugh, guiding NU to a come-from-behind 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory in front of 12,790 fans at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With Lamina’s guidance, the 22-year-old setter steered the Lady Bulldogs to a first-round sweep in the eight-team field — their first since their undefeated championship run in Season 84 back in 2022.
Having faced each other since their days with De La Salle Zobel and Nazareth School of NU in high school, Carballo and Lamina acknowledged how their development has been fueled by their competitive rivalry.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Happy ako kasi since high school talaga, magkalaban na kami up until now. Tingin ko nakita ko na yung improvements naming dalawa,” said Lamina, who outdueled Carballo with 33 excellent sets and two points.
“Best setter siya [last season] and may naging award ako nung Season 84. I’m so happy na naggo-grow kami. Sobrang happy lang ako kasi maganda yung napapakita namin both sa teams namin. Para sa akin, gagalingan ko lang din para respeto kay Cassie kasi napakagaling niyang setter talaga.”
Best friends off the court since high school, Carballo acknowledged Lamina’s brilliance as a key motivator to perform her best, especially in high-stakes rivalry matches between UST and NU.
“Super happy siyempre kasi kami ni Lams, talagang super close friends kami since high school. Especially pag NU-UST, yung rivalry match na ‘yon, we just do our best palagi kasi we want to help our respective teams. Dagdag motivation din talaga yung galing ni Lams,” said Carballo, who hails from Silay City, Negros Occidental.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Carballo indeed shone for UST, giving Lamina a tough challenge with 27 excellent sets and 10 points, built on seven attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
While Carballo has proven her talent as a playmaker, her ultimate goal remains to deliver the UAAP women’s volleyball title to UST — an achievement Lamina has already accomplished with NU, both in high school and in college.
In the collegiate scene, Lamina is a two-time UAAP champion, having steered the Lady Bulldogs to a dominant Season 86 Finals sweep over the Golden Tigresses. Meanwhile, Carballo has yet to break through, finishing fourth in her rookie year in Season 85 before leading UST to a silver-medal Cinderella run in Season 86.
“Hindi sila madaling laban talaga. Isa doon sa reasons kung bakit sila hindi madaling kalaban is because of Lams. Magaling siyang setter. Nai-inspire ako sa kanya. Isa siya sa reasons kung bakit ko gusto matuto pa. Malayo na pero malayo pa, ika-nga nila,” Carballo concluded.
