Lams Lamina Has Everything to Prove in the PVL 

It’s back to square one as Lams Lamina begins her professional career with the Galeries Tower Highrisers.

By the time she bid farewell to the UAAP, Lams Lamina had established herself as one of Philippine volleyball’s best playmakers, backed up by four Best Setter Awards and eight championships with National University. 

Yet even with everything she’s achieved, Lamina knows it will be back to square one as the first-overall pick of the 2026 PVL Rookie Draft. From competing for championships with National U, Lamina now finds herself as a foundational piece for the up-and-coming Galeries Tower Highrisers. 

“Feel ko po, syempre hindi magiging madali. Syempre, as a rookie, pagtratrabhuhan ko po and ng mga ates ko. Syempre, hindi natin alam kung anong mangyayari sa future eh, so mag-focus po tayo sa present po,” Lamina told reporters during the draft night held last June 3. 

Lamina links up with fellow Alas Pilipinas setter Julia Coronel and last year’s second-overall pick Jean Asis, with the likes of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Roselle Baliton, and Erika Deloria also forming part of the Highrisers’ core. 

In drafting the former NU ace, Galeries Tower gets a talent that brings championship experience to a young team. 

“Since I’m from a champion team which is NU, ang mabibigay ko lang sa Team Galeries is gaano ako ka-competitive inside and outside the court. Syempre ‘yung hardwork ko, discipline ko and work ethic ko, ‘yun po ang mabibigay ko sa kanila,” she said. 

“‘Yung attitude ko po; the way I play na palaban, ibibigay lahat. ‘Yung discipline ko as a person and as a player and especially ‘yung mindset ko na very competitive ako.”

Still, Lamina knows that building a contender is no easy process. Rather than pressure herself into contributing right off the bat, the star setter chooses to take things slowly, well-aware that she is joining a new team and competitive scene in the PVL. 

“Ako naman, very excited kasi syempre Team Galeries is parang rebuilding sila. Syempre ako, as a rookie, bago ako sa sistema. Pero syempre, I accept the challenge and tutulong po talaga ako hanggang sa makakaya ko. Ibibigay ko ‘yung 100 percent ko,” reflected Lamina. 

If there is anything Lams Lamina is excited for, it’s the opportunity to face Philippine volleyball’s brightest stars in the PVL, along with her former teammates in National U — namely Capital1 Solar Spikers star Bella Belen. 

“Excited po ako na makalaban sila. Syempre ‘yun nga po, since high school pa kami magkasama and ngayon magkalaban na kami. Syempre, marami po akong matutunan sa kanila and excited din po ako,” she said. 

Added Lamina on Belen, “Magtaray lang po siya! Hayaan ko lang po siya, ayun ‘yung gusto niya eh…bibigyan ko lang din sila ng magandang laban.” 

Images by Ed Simon/KLIQ Inc.