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  • Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    Bella Belen praises Camilla Lamina after former NU teammate is picked No. 1 overall in the PVL Draft

    For years, Camilla Lamina’s role at National University was defined by control, precision, and composure.

     

    As the steady orchestrator of one of the most dominant collegiate volleyball programs in the Philippines, Lamina was the engine that kept NU’s system running at a championship level. She dictated tempo, organized the offense, and ensured that the Lady Bulldogs remained firmly entrenched among the country’s elite programs through her decision-making and leadership on the court.

     

    Now, however, the challenge ahead is no longer about sustaining a winning culture—it is about creating one from the ground up.

     

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    Lamina officially begins her professional journey after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Rookie Draft, with the Galeries Tower Highrisers making a bold statement by building their future around the former NU standout. The selection places immediate expectations on the accomplished setter, whose responsibilities now extend beyond running an offense to shaping the identity and foundation of a developing franchise.

     

    For Galeries Tower, the decision signals a clear commitment to long-term growth, banking on Lamina’s experience in a high-pressure collegiate system to help accelerate the team’s rise in the professional ranks. Her leadership, court awareness, and winning pedigree are expected to play a central role as the Highrisers aim to transition into consistent playoff contenders in the PVL.

    The significance of Lamina’s selection is further highlighted by the continued rise of National University’s volleyball program, which has now produced the No. 1 overall pick in three consecutive Rookie Drafts. Following Thea Gagate’s selection in 2024 and another top pick in the succeeding draft cycle, Lamina’s rise reinforces NU’s growing reputation as one of the country’s premier talent-producing institutions in volleyball.

     

    Adding to the narrative, Capital1 Solar Spikers star Bella Belen—herself a former NU standout and last year’s No. 1 overall pick—expressed excitement over Lamina’s entry into the professional league. Belen, who shared years of on-court chemistry with Lamina during their collegiate stint, shared her thoughts on seeing her former teammate take the next step in her career.

     

    “Excited din ako makalban si Lams kasi siyempre, all this time siya ‘yung kasama ko sa loob ng court and ngayon na nasa PVL na siya. Excited ako makita kung ano pa ‘yung pwede niyang ma-improve pa as an athlete, and ano ‘yung pwede niyang madala sa PVL. Excited na rin ako kung paano ako magpe-perform ‘pag siya ‘yung kalaban ko. Lams, stare down ka sa ‘kin, charot. Masaya lang ako for Lams kasi deserve niya talagang maging first pick,” Belen said in a media interaction.

     

    Beyond the playful competitiveness, Belen also underscored her pride in NU’s continued success in producing elite-level talent, emphasizing how the program’s sustained excellence has helped elevate Philippine volleyball as a whole.

     

    “Siguro hindi ko ma-explain, pero siguro masaya lang na isa sa mga volleyball program na umaangat is ‘yung NU. And sana magtuloy-tuloy, kumbaga hindi lang hihinto ‘yung programa ni NU, and sana marami pang ma-produce na magaling na players ‘yung NU,” she added.

     

    Galeries Tower’s decision to select Lamina at the top of the draft reflects a broader philosophy centered on long-term development rather than short-term results. By entrusting a young but proven setter with the responsibility of leading a rebuilding squad, the Highrisers are signaling their belief that sustainable success begins with leadership, discipline, and the ability to set a standard that influences an entire roster.

     

    As Lamina transitions into the professional ranks, expectations will be immediate—but so too will be the opportunity to redefine a franchise’s trajectory and establish herself as one of the PVL’s emerging cornerstone players.

     

     

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  • “I still haven’t proven anything yet in the pros”: NU standout Lams Lamina embraces PVL challenge

    “I still haven’t proven anything yet in the pros”: NU standout Lams Lamina embraces PVL challenge

    After years of dominance in the collegiate ranks, National University standout Lams Lamina is finally set to take the leap to the professional stage.

     

    The decorated setter officially declared for the upcoming Premier Volleyball League Rookie Draft, immediately emerging as one of the most highly anticipated prospects in this year’s class. Widely projected as a potential Top 2 selection, Lamina enters the pros carrying not only an impressive résumé but also the expectations that come with being one of the most accomplished setters in recent UAAP history.

     

    For Lamina, however, the transition is about more than draft projections and accolades. It marks the beginning of an entirely new chapter after spending over a decade representing National University.

     

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    “Honestly, it still hasn’t fully sunk in that this is really happening. That I’m now entering a different world, the pro level, adult life. I came from a school where I spent 11 years with my teammates. That had basically been my whole life since Grade 7. So right now, I’m just really looking forward to finally playing for a professional team,” Lamina said in a media interaction.

     

    Lamina leaves behind a legacy that will be difficult to match. As the chief playmaker of the NU Lady Bulldogs, she orchestrated one of the most successful eras in the program’s history, guiding the team to three UAAP championships and five consecutive Finals appearances. Her elite court vision, composure under pressure, and leadership made her one of the most reliable setters in collegiate volleyball, earning her two UAAP Best Setter awards along the way.

    More than the statistics and trophies, Lamina became the steady heartbeat of a dynasty program that consistently competed at the highest level. Her ability to distribute the ball effectively and elevate the play of her teammates turned NU into a perennial contender during her stay.

     

    Now, the 24-year-old faces a fresh challenge in the PVL, where the competition becomes faster, stronger, and far more unforgiving. Yet despite the pressure surrounding her entry into the professional ranks, Lamina remains grounded and eager to continue developing her game.

     

    “I think my ceiling is still really high because I still haven’t proven anything yet in the pros. Personally, that’s my goal, to prove to myself again that I can reach my dreams and become even better. There will definitely be a lot of challenges, pressure, and expectations. At the same time, I know I will learn so much, especially from the veteran players I will get to compete against. Hopefully, I can learn a lot from them,” she added.

     

    Her arrival in the PVL also sets the stage for intriguing new rivalries and reunions. Lamina is expected to face several fellow UAAP stars at the next level, including former NU teammate Alyssa Solomon, while also competing against some of the country’s top professional volleyball players.

     

    Despite the comparisons already being made between her and established PVL setters, Lamina is choosing to focus solely on her own journey and growth.

     

    “I don’t really focus on comparing myself to them because we all have our own path and journey. I just want to focus on myself and make the most of whatever opportunity I get to show my game here in the pros. I think I will just keep doing what I did in the UAAP. The love I have for volleyball and the way I always give my 100 percent effort – that’s the same mindset I will bring into the pros,” she concluded.

     

    As the PVL Rookie Draft approaches, Lamina’s transition from collegiate superstar to professional playmaker will undoubtedly be one of the league’s biggest storylines. While her UAAP chapter has already cemented her status as an NU legend, the next phase of her volleyball journey may ultimately define just how far her talent can take her.

     

     

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