PVL: Lams Lamina eager to prove herself in the pros

Aspirant Lams Lamina during the PVL Draft Combine Day 1. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Lams Lamina is eager to elevate her game as the National University Lady Bulldogs setter prepares for a new journey in the Premier Volleyball League.

Lamina, projected as at least a Top 2 pick in the 2026 draft class, admitted she felt some jitters entering a “different world” as one of the 42 applicants for the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft on June 3 at Novotel.

“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,” Lamina told the reporters in Filipino in the Draft Combine on Thursday at GameVille Ball Park.

“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.”

Lams Lamina relishes her draft journey with Alyssa Solomon. #PVL2026 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/61fmGZeBlz

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 28, 2026

The NU lifer, who won two UAAP Best Setter awards and captured three titles in five straight Finals appearances, believes she still has plenty of room to grow.

“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,” she said.

“There will definitely be a lot of challenges, pressure, and expectations. At the same time, I know I’ll learn so much, especially from the veteran players I’ll get to compete against. Hopefully, I can learn a lot from them.”

PVL Rookie Draft Aspirants during day 1 of the Draft Combine. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Lamina was also excited to share the Draft experience with teammate Alyssa Solomon and to see Bella Belen training at the same venue with Capital1 Solar Spikers, which owns the No. 2 pick.

“It’s exciting because if she (Solomon) really joins, the competition among teams will become even stronger,” she said “Honestly, I don’t really think about that [teaming up with Bella at Capital1]  because we still don’t know which teams will pick us. At this point, whoever drafts us, we’ll just give our best.”

When she enters the pros, Lamina could go up against the league’s brightest setters like Jia De Guzman and Gel Cayuna, but her focus is on her own progress to help the team that will draft her.

“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,” said Lamina.

“I think I’ll 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’ll bring into the pros.”