Now that his eyes are dry after his final goodbye, Ateneo de Manila University libero Lance De Castro hopes to leave the Blue Eagles with a lasting lesson: winning in volleyball is only possible through humility, constant learning, and resilience in the face of setbacks.
The 5-foot-7 standout from Taytay, Rizal, ended his collegiate career on a high note as Ateneo outlasted fellow also-ran University of the East in five sets on Saturday in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Despite another fifth-place finish for the Blue Eagles, De Castro reflected that it was a well-fought campaign for him and his teammates. He also praised the players alongside him at the post-game press conference — Amil Pacinio, Kennedy Batas, and Jian Salarzon — for stepping up as Ateneo’s new leaders.
“I remember last year I was in the same position,” De Castro said. “I think I was also asked what type of advice to give to the younger ones. Sabi ko, palagi lang sila maging teachable, maging coachable, and then maging humble lang in every way.
“I think for the past few months, five to seven months na complete kami, that’s one thing they really proved to me. That’s one thing that I’m very proud of, especially sa mga leaders na ‘to. Yang tatlong yan, they really proved how they can handle the team and how they can lead the team in their own little ways and also sa mga big ways,” he added.
“I think kitang-kita naman in every training na napamahal din kami sa volleyball basically. Tini-tyaga namin every training at nag-e-extra pa kami. I think those are the little things that really matter, kasi in those ways, masasabi talaga namin na gustong-gusto namin makabawi this season. Pero yun nga, kinapos na naman kami so sayang.”
Already out of the Final Four race beforehand, Ateneo was in danger of falling to winless UE after the Red Warriors took the first two sets. But the Blue Eagles, fueled by coach Vince Mangulabnan’s words and their own pride, dug deep to turn things around and win the next three sets.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
As captain, De Castro nearly single-handedly reignited Ateneo’s fighting spirit. In a crucial moment during the third set, with Ateneo trailing 12–16, he risked injury chasing down a ball that went into one of the VIP sections of the SMART Araneta Coliseum, sparking the Blue Eagles’ comeback.
“I think last night during our extra session, what was really reiterated and highlighted was that our team was known for being risk-takers,” De Castro said. “I think earlier yun yung pumasok sa utak namin. UE, given their standing, they had nothing to lose. Nilalaban nila nang nilalaban kasi gusto nilang makatikim ng panalo.
“On our end, although wala na kaming chance mag-Final Four, we really wanted to end the season on a high note. I think yung mga sinabi ni coach Vince naging wake-up call sa amin that really made us work, kasi di naman ibibigay sa amin ng UE yan. Lahat ng naglalaro ng volleyball dito, gusto makatikim ng panalo.”
Ultimately, Ateneo closed the season with a 7–7 record for the third straight year, once again falling short of the Final Four. Yet even amid another anticlimactic end, De Castro had no regrets about giving it one last run.
With his collegiate career officially over, De Castro now looks to the future with hope — for the younger generation to carry on the Blue Eagle spirit.
How? By keeping the joy alive.
“Siguro if I would describe (my legacy) in one word, it would be enjoyment,” De Castro said.
“I think, as a player, that’s one thing I embody inside the court: the joy and the fun. Yun din ang gusto namin mangyari, and I think we play best when we’re having fun. So that’s one legacy I would like to impart to the younger ones.”
