By: Christian David Ruiz
Multi-awarded setter Camilla Lamina, who led National University (NU) to multiple UAAP titles in both the junior and senior divisions, has inspired young players to bring their talents to the Bulldogs’ den, including 16-year-old Rain Navarro.
“Kasi nung Grade 10 pa ko idol ko na rin po siya [Lamina] and dream ko na rin nakapunta sa NU dahil rin po sa kanya,” shared Navarro, a young playmaker from Bacolod, explaining her decision to bring her talent to Manila.
Navarro, whom Lady Bullpups head coach Carl Dimaculangan has been trying to recruit since 2022, finally decided to transfer to NU’s Senior High School and join last season’s silver medalists in their quest to reclaim the UAAP Girls’ Volleyball crown.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
The Lady Bullpups’ primary setter, a rookie in the UAAP despite being in 11th grade, played a pivotal role in NUNS’ straight-set victory over Far Eastern University Diliman, 25-21, 25-17, 25-20, avenging their only loss of the season.
“Na-prepare siya namin during training, syempre nag-hard training din kami and nag-compose kami sa self namin, and syempre [nai-guide] rin kami ng coaches namin all throughout hanggang ngayon sa game namin,” she said.
With the win over the Lady Baby Tamaraws, the Lady Bullpups improved their record to 9-1, strengthening their bid for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals.
Navarro also moved up to third place in the race for Best Setter.
“‘Yung goal namin is to continue lang ‘yung pinapagawa ng coaches and always think positive lang samin and di naman namin tini-think na champion na kami kaagad, kailangan din namin trabahuhin,” Navarro added.
