UAAP: Lams Lamina, Sam Cantada connection fuels NU sweep

UAAP Season 88 volleyball tournament – second round

NU Lady Bulldogs’ Sam Cantada and Lams Lamina during a game in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament. –UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—For a long time, Lams Lamina was used to setting up former NU Lady Bulldogs star Bella Belen for thunderous attacks.

Now that Belen is gone, not much has changed with Sam Cantada finishing plays in much the same way.

“Actually, I’m very happy because Samantha is really easy to get along with. Whatever I set up, she’ll attack,” Lamina said after their 25-19, 25-16, 25-15 sweep of Ateneo in the UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday.

“Kahit magkanda-kuba na siya, wala na siyang pake sa set ko minsan basta magawaan niya ng paraan (Even if she’s about to break her back sometimes, she doesn’t care—she’ll find a way to attack),” she added. Saturday was another example of Lamina and Cantada’s growing connection.

In the straight-sets win that gave NU a temporary hold of the second seed, Lamina tallied 11 excellent sets, while Cantada finished with nine points built on four attacks, five aces and a block.

“They (Lamina and the rest of the team) just tell me to gamble,” Cantada said after helping NU improve to a 7-3 record. “Once I do that, a lot can happen.”

NU’s title defense continues to gain traction behind Lamina and Cantada heading into the Holy Week break.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action against Adamson Lady Falcons on Easter Sunday at the same venue.