Still winless in four matches in the second round of the UAAP Season 80 Women’s Volleyball tournament, the once league-leading National University Lady Bulldogs are looking to fully immerse in the spirit of the Lenten season.
Right after NU’s latest loss to the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses — their fourth straight defeat — NU head coach Babes Castillo was quick to snuff out potential fires between his players.
In a timeout during the last set, Castillo urged his players to stick together and keep their minds on bigger things. He did not want to see his players bickering on the court. After all, in his words, “this is just volleyball.”
“These kinds of situations, dito niyo gustong suporthan ang isa’t isa. When you go through these, doon niyo made-develop ‘yung tiwala talaga,” the long-time NU Lady Bullpups coach recalled.
At this point, Castillo is looking forward to going through a “passion” with his squad.
“Very much like Lent… Tawag ko nga dito, this is our Passion.
“I mean, you have to be crucified first eh. Kaya nga tinatawag siyang Passion eh, mahirap pero it will transform not only you, but the people around you,” Castillo said, as he and the Lady Bulldogs head into the Holy Week break. “Ang mission nitong Lady Bulldogs is not just to win, but to also bring up the NU community — you want to inspire the NU community. This Passion, we are gladly taking it in.”
To close, he acknowledged that NU’s problem is rooted in their culture. It will be tedious to fix, but Castillo is ready for the long haul.
“Ang common mistake ng tao is to think that there is always a quick fix. Lalo na with the insurgence of social media and gadgets, gusto natin madaling sagot. But in real life, hindi talaga madali. You have to struggle, you have to go through all this pain,” Castillo conceded.
“No panic button, but may intervention na. Kailangan may ganoon na. Noong nakita niyong umiiyak sila, I never left their side kasi that’s what I promised them: I will never leave your side. We’ll go through all the pain and victories together.”
