After more than a decade of development under National University, Camilla Lamina is ready to close one chapter and begin another—this time in the professional ranks of the Premier Volleyball League.
The 5-foot-7 setter, who rose through NU Nazareth School and later became a key playmaker for the Lady Bulldogs, now steps into unfamiliar territory as she prepares to enter the PVL Draft with a rookie mindset.
Despite her decorated collegiate run, Lamina is not treating her past as an advantage but as a foundation for a fresh pursuit of growth at the pro level.
“Tingin ko po, sobrang taas pa po (ng kaya kong maabot) kasi wala pa po akong napapatunayan dito sa pro eh,” said Lamina, showing her willingness to start from scratch.
She emphasized that her motivation now is internal—focused on proving to herself that she can reach an even higher level beyond her amateur success.
“For myself naman po, yun po yung goal ko na may mapatunayan na naman po sa sarili ko na ay, kaya ko pala ulit magiging ganon, kung ano man po yung pangarap ko,” she added.
Lamina shared her thoughts during Day 1 of the PVL Draft Combine on Thursday at Gameville Ball Park in Mandaluyong, where top prospects gathered ahead of the June 3 PVL Draft at Novotel Manila Araneta City.
Known for her poise and precision running NU’s system, Lamina now enters a deeper pool of talent where she understands the competition will be fiercer and the pressure significantly higher.
“Siguro po, ine-expect ko po na talaga na lahat dito po sa pro league is very challenging, and especially grabe po yung pressure,” she said.
Still, the young setter is keeping her approach simple and grounded, focusing on effort rather than expectations.
“Pero siyempre po, siguro magfo-focus lang ako sa present. And I will give my 100-percent effort talaga kung hanggang saan po yung kaya ko po para ma-offer ko sa kanila.”
Lamina is considered among the top prospects in the upcoming draft, where teams like Galeries Tower, Capital1, Choco Mucho, and ZUS Coffee hold the first four picks as they continue to build their foundations in the league.
Now, as she prepares for the next step in her career, Lamina carries not pressure from her past—but determination for what she has yet to prove.
