Babes Castillo has established legendary status in just five years as the head coach of the National University Lady Bullpups.
The lively head coach has been recruiting the best young talent from all over the country. And it has resulted in winning the last four UAAP Girls’ tiaras.
One might think that his approach would change with the seniors team, the NU Lady Bulldogs, but Castillo insists his outlook on the seniors game remains the same.
“Sabi ko nga, sabi ko sa kanila (Lady Bulldogs), it may look big, it may sound noisier, marami mang tao, but it’s still the same nine meter by eighteen meter court na second to my church,” the decorated mentor shared.
“This is my second church.
“So ‘yun ang familiarity ko sa UAAP ngayon. Ang pinagkaiba lang mas maingay, mas malaki, mas maraming ilaw, ang daming cellphone,” quipped Castillo after leading NU to an opening day win over the Adamson University Lady Falcons.
“Dati noong nagpe-press con tayong dalawa lang, libre pa hotdog, ngayon wala nang hotdog. Joke lang.”
Castillo, who coached NU to a third straight PVL Collegiate Conference title last October 14, is excited to go toe-to-toe against the best tacticians in the league. He takes on Tai Bundit and the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles next, on Wednesday.
“You know si Ateneo, if you watch them past three or four years, ang isa sa mga abilities nila, they easily adapt. Mabilis silang mag-adapt,” Castillo concluded. “‘Yan ang ine-expect ko with Ateneo. They will definitely adapt, sa susunod na laro namin.
“Magpapakita sila ng mga bagay na hindi namin nakikita, but makikita din namin ‘yung mga bagay na dati na nilang ginagawa. So ‘yun ang aking take doon.”
