Lams Lamina and NU during a win over FEU in UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — National University’s senior setter Lams Lamina continued to display grace under pressure, capping off a marvelous week on Sunday with 23 excellent sets to help the Lady Bulldogs orchestrate a five-set victory over the gutsy FEU Lady Tamaraws.
Prior to that, the two-time champion playmaker also tossed in 20 excellent sets in NU’s statement sweep of rival La Salle in the opening day and 14 more in another 3-0 romp of Ateneo last Wednesday to help keep the Lady Bulldogs as the only unbeaten team with three wins.
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For her outstanding leadership in NU’s strong start, Lamina was named the first Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) UAAP Player of the Week for the period of February 15 to 23 in the women’s division.
READ: UAAP: NU withstands tough FEU challenge in women’s volleyball
She edged teammates Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon, Adamson’s super rookie Shaira Nitura, UP stalwart Joan Monares, and UST dynamo Angge Poyos.
As a setter, Lamina credits new head coach Sherwin Meneses for simplifying the game and instilling confidence in the team.
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“Sobrang laki ng impact din ni Coach Sherwin [Meneses] kasi nabibigyan kami ng confidence every training and every game,” she said.
Despite her stellar performances, Lamina remains focused on improving her playmaking skills.
“Nandito pa lang naman ako [sa baba], ‘yung iba nasa taas na pero kailangan humble lang tayo.”
READ: UAAP: Lams Lamina focused on NU title repeat, undecided on future
On the men’s side, reigning Best Opposite Spiker Dryx Saavedra spearheaded the FEU Tamaraws’ stunning sweep of defending champions NU Bulldogs, racking up 20 points off 17 attacks and three blocks to cap off their own 3-0 start to the tournament.
The win marked FEU’s first victory over NU in six years dating back to Season 81, the last one also being a clean sweep.
Also thanks to a pair of 13-point outings against UST and UP under his belt before the NU stunner, Saavedra earned him the first men’s top weekly recognition, besting Ateneo’s Ken Batas, NU’s Leo Ordiales, and DLSU’s Noel Kampton in a unanimous vote by print and online scribes covering the beat.
Saavedra expressed his joy as FEU’s relentless preparation paid off, keeping them unbeaten and at solo first place.
READ: UAAP men’s volleyball: FEU upsets NU to stay unscathed
“Sobrang saya kasi ilang araw din kaming walang pahinga. Magaan na pahinga bukas and then after ng bukas, banat ulit kaya sana tuloy-tuloy ‘yung motivation ng lahat na walang mag-relax,” he said.
He also highlighted the team’s improved mental toughness, which had been lacking last season.
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“Good thing ngayon kasi sa team namin is napag-uusapan namin ‘yung about mental [toughness]. Talagang ‘yun ‘yung kulang namin last season and sana tuloy-tuloy kasi ang ganda ng kinalabasan,” Saavedra added, as FEU continues its revenge tour in Season 87.
