Lams Lamina may not be walking out of National University as a champion this time, but she exits Jhocson with her head held high — her legacy already firmly etched into the program’s proud history.
Over an illustrious 11-year run that began in Season 75 (2015), Lamina bowed out of the UAAP as one of the most decorated playmakers the league has ever seen. She collected four Best Setter awards and an astounding eight championships across her high school and collegiate careers.
For more than a decade, she served as the steady compass of the Lady Bulldogs, steering them to three of the last five UAAP women’s volleyball titles. And as she wore the Blue and Gold jersey one final time, Lamina leaves behind a legacy defined by sacrifice, loyalty, and sustained excellence.
BEHIND THE GOLD
Behind the glitter of gold medals and individual accolades, the 5-foot-7 playmaker admitted her rise to becoming one of the UAAP’s elite setters was shaped far more by the unseen grind and the sacrifices made along the way.
In what ultimately became her final UAAP championship in Season 87, Lamina could have joined NU’s “Golden Generation” of Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Erin Pangilinan in turning professional and exiting Jhocson on a high.
Instead, she chose to stay — driven by a deeper purpose of helping prepare the next wave of Lady Bulldogs, a young core led by Season 88 Rookie of the Year Sam Cantada, Celine Marsh, Abe Pono, and Harlyn Serneche.
“Of course, sobrang worth it kasi hindi naman yung UAAP lang linaro ko ‘eh. Meron din pre-season na tournaments. Happy ako kasi buo pa rin kami ng mga teammates ko na naka-abot sa Finals,” Lamina told reporters after a straight-sets loss in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Volleyball Finals, Saturday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The ending of her UAAP journey may have been bittersweet, but Lamina chose to focus on the grit and sacrifices that shaped her from a lanky setter out of Guimaras into one of the finest playmakers in UAAP women’s volleyball — joining the ranks of Kim Fajardo, Jia de Guzman, and Rhea Dimaculangan.
For her, beyond the medals and milestones, what she will cherish most is the community that became her home — the same one that carried her through the highs and lows of more than a decade in Jhocson.
“Siguro sobrang proud ko sa sarili ko kasi behind those achievements, hindi nila nakikita yung sacrifices na ginagawa ng isang tao. Yung mga efforts every day sa training, and yung nagagawa na connection with my teammates. Sobrang happy ko and proud ako sa sarili ko,” Lamina explained.
“Ako, sobrang grateful ko talaga kasi unang-una, sila yung tumanggap sa akin na mag-stay din ako sa NU. Sobrang saya maglaro kasama yung NU community, teammates ko, managers ko, and coaches. And ayon, sobrang proud ko and grateful ako na nag-stay ako sa NU,” she added.
PASSING THE TORCH
With her UAAP chapter now closed, Lamina is setting her sights on the professional ranks, confirming her intent to join the 2026 Premier Volleyball League Draft.
She acknowledged that the pro game will present an entirely different challenge, but remains confident that her years of championship experience with the Lady Bulldogs have fully prepared her for the next stage of her career.
“Of course. Gusto niyo bukas na kaagad ‘eh,” she quipped.
“Siguro, lungkot-lungkot muna, tapos pag naka-take time na ako sa feelings ko at sa sarili ko, and ayon, ipapasa ko na yung requirements ko sa draft.”
As she moves on to the next level, Lamina believes NU will remain in good hands, with its deep pipeline of talent ready to carry the torch under head coach Regine Diego.
“Pag-alis ko diyan, yung mga papalit, magagaling din ‘eh. Marami may potensyal na mga bata na naglaro sa NU. Very happy ako and looking forward next season na sila yung maglalaro,” she concluded.
