WHILE Bella Belen had 10 straight finals appearances to her name in her time in National U, Lams Lamina has just taken that feat up a notch.
The two-time UAAP best setter booked her ticket to a 11th consecutive championship round after their gritty four-set win against University of Santo Tomas in the Season 88 stepladder.
This run includes all five of her years in college - with three titles under her belt, as of now - and her high school tenure when she won it all five of six times.
And this is now a resume that places her alongside decorated setters like Jia de Guzman, Kim Fajardo, and Jem Ferrer who defined consistency by making the finals throughout their collegiate careers.
As Lamina approaches her final matches in blue-and-gold, she is the first to admit the emotions haven’t quite caught up with her just yet.
“As of now, kasi wala akong emotions. Siguro, 'di pa nag-sink in,” she admitted to SPIN.ph.
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No tears. No dramatic pause. Just quiet awareness that there’s still work left to be done.
“Hindi pa tapos yung laban, may championship pa. Doon ko na lang ibubuhos kung ano talaga yung magiging resulta,” she added after finishing with 34 excellent sets against the Golden Tigresses.
Because for the veteran playmaker, the finals has never been the finish line. As always, it is the proving ground.
This time, the task is much taller, with yet-unbeaten La Salle awaiting the two-time defending champion Lady Bulldogs.
“Kasi hindi pa namin sila natatalo, mas hungry pa kami na talunin sila, na makabawi kami,” she uttered, referring to the fact that thus far, they've gone 0-2 against the Lady Spikers.
Aside from that, she also hasn't forgetten that the green-and-white had gotten the better of NU in the finals - back in Season 85 behind Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, and Angel Canino, as well as another time in the juniors, where Canino and De La Salle Zobel put pause on their reign.
“Bawi ko yun sa ngayon kaya ilalaban ko talaga ‘to,” she said.
Payback time
Lamina's finals streak is impressive, of course, but even more so is the determination to keep coming and the dedication to hard work - even after not being part of the starting lineup for almost half of the season.
“Every day, nag-e-extra lang ako. Mas gumagawa kami ng connection ng teammates ko. Thankful ako kasi may tiwala pa rin sila sa akin,” she said.
That trust is one she earned all for herself through her time in National U. And now, it has led her to her last stand for the Lady Bulldogs.
“Ang bilis nga eh. Iiyak na ako niyan,” she said with a laugh before catching herself.
“Enjoy ko lang yung moment per day. Kung ano man meron sa present, doon muna ako mag-focus.”
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