IN her last playing year, Camilla Lamina finds herself in unfamiliar territory: not as the opening name called to run National U's offense, but as the steady presence patiently waiting to be called upon once more.
When that moment came on Saturday, she made it count - again and again and again.
Inserted late in the second set with the Lady Bulldogs struggling to find rhythm, Lamina immediately provided clarity and composure, orchestrating the offense with precision to steer the defending champions to a gritty five-set victory vs. fast-starting FEU.
READ: Panique, Alinsug will NU to reverse sweep of FEU
The veteran playmaker delivered 19 excellent sets, as well as her calming presence that helped her team keep afloat.
“Ayun nga, since nasa labas ako, mas nakikita ko yung mga nangyayari sa loob. So dun ako nag-adjust kung anong may kulang dun sa loob. And mas nakikinig din ako sa instruction ng mga coaches at teammates ko rin,” Lamina told SPIN.ph.
Without a doubt, the two-time best setter has embraced her new role, understanding that leadership now meant readiness, guidance, and trust.
“Siguro, per game talaga kung sino yung kailangan sa loob, yun yung gagamitin,” she said.
“Depende talaga kung ga'no din ka-ready yung mga players. Pero, of course, depende pa rin po yun sa coaches.”
READ: Pono's starting setter over Lamina for National U. Find out why
Nonetheless, her readiness proved crucial when NU needed stability most.
In the decisive fifth set, with momentum constantly shifting and pressure mounting, Lamina helped anchor the team emotionally as much as tactically. Rather than taking control alone, she leaned into the collective maturity of the group.
“Kaming teammates ko, yun yung maganda sa amin, kasi hindi lang ako yung nagsasalita, kundi lahat. Lahat sinasabing, ‘Ok girls, composed tayo.’ 'Pag dikit, 'Ok lang, huwag natin isipin yung score.' Mas mag-focus kami sa kung paano kami makakapag-point,” she shared.
Lams the leader
But Lamina’s growth this season extends beyond in-game adjustments. As one of the team’s seniors, she has transitioned from being guided to becoming the one who guides, especially with the blue-and-hold integrating younger attackers into the lineup.
“Last year kasi, mas more on yung mga ates ko yung nagli-lead sakin. Ngayon, kabaliktaran,” she said. “Ako naman yung nagli-lead sa mga bata. At ina-uplift ko sila, lalo na 'pag naba-block.”
The transition hasn’t been seamless. Lamina admitted that building chemistry with the Lady Bulldogs' newer weapons remains a work in progress, requiring patience and repetition.
“Hindi pa kami totally connected. Mas kailangan pa namin sigurong mag-training. More on connection talaga,” she said. “Yun talaga yung nahirapan din ako kanina.”
Her leadership also extends to mentoring Abe Pono, whose early-season starts reflect National U’s confidence that its playmaker position will remain in good hands..
“Malaking tiwala ako at ng mga coaches sa batang yan. Kasi magaling talaga siya. Sometimes, gina-guide ko lang din siya at nagfi-feedback,” she said.
She may no longer be the automatic starter, but she has become something more valuable: the dynastic program's stabilizer, connector, and quiet commander.
And when the Lady Bulldogs needed saving, their senior setter was there to come to their rescue, after all.
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