problem with materials when importing model

Hello there, this is kinda a basic and simple question, but i can't find a clear answer in any other place. My problem is that when i import a model from maya to unity, all the materials are transformed in the basic lambert material ( even the blinn one that is one of the basics ). I noticed that if i change the shader of the material ( in unity ) from diffuse to, say , "specular" i can get the same effect as with blinn; then my question is if is there a way to keep the original materials working from maya, or i just simply have to apply textures and look for the desired material effect in unity.

ie: if i want that shiny effect in the material, instead of using the blinn material in maya, i just use gray lambert and then select the specular shader in unity.

Thanks!