From Tagbilaran City, Bohol, to the halls of Adamson University, and now emerging as a rising star for University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Tommy Castrodes has come a long way.
A former standout of Bayawahan National High School’s volleyball team in Bohol, Castrodes took a leap of faith by trying out for the Baby Falcons ahead of their Season 86 campaign in 2023.
That gamble paid off.
Thanks to a stellar high school stint with Adamson — highlighted by a 40-point performance in a first-round win against University of Santo Tomas — he caught the attention of a rebuilding UP squad eager to revitalize its program in Season 87.
(C) UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Exactly. Yung Adamson talaga nagbigay ng big break ko nung high school ako. Special tryout ‘yon, so nag-tryout ako sa Adamson High School and then nakuha ako. Dahil doon sa stint ko sa kanila, napunta ako ng UP,” Castrodes told Tiebreaker Times.
From that moment, Castrodes set his sights on a personal mission: to help restore the Fighting Maroons as perennial contenders in a fiercely competitive field that includes defending champions National University Bulldogs, UST Golden Spikers, FEU Tamaraws, and Ateneo Blue Eagles.
While UP’s climb back to the top of UAAP men’s volleyball has been anything but easy, the 20-year-old outside hitter has been a beacon of hope for the rebuilding program.
His breakout moment came against his former team, as he led the Fighting Maroons to a hard-fought 20-25, 25-18, 26-24, 25-20 victory over the Soaring Falcons, snapping a five-game skid and closing the first round on a high note.
Thanks to Castrodes’ brilliance — scoring 17 points on 16 attacks and one block, alongside 23 excellent receptions and 14 excellent digs — UP improved to a 2-5 record, securing solo sixth place in the standings.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Yung eagerness ko talaga manalo nanaig kasi kilala ko na yung mga players sa Adamson kasi naka-ensayo na ako doon before nung high school pa ako. Ginagawa ko lang talaga yung best ko na kailangan amin itong laro na ito, at hindi mapunta sa kanila. So we did our best and nag-teamwork kami para makuha namin yung game,” Castrodes shared.
“I’m happy na nakuha na namin.”
While carving out his path to stardom with the Fighting Maroons, Castrodes acknowledged that none of this would have been possible without the opportunity given to him by Baby Falcons head coach Marvin Ramoso — who also serves as an assistant coach for the Adamson men’s volleyball team under head coach Raffy Mosuela.
Castrodes credited Ramoso’s emphasis on character development and rigorous high school training — comparable to the intensity of collegiate-level play — for shaping him into the player he is today.
“Nakatulong si Coach Marvin sa pagiging kung sinong player na ako ngayon. Ang taas kasi ng standard ni Coach Marvin sa high school, parang college na. Yung extra push na binibigay niya, ‘yon importante sa akin para mas mag-improve pa ako before,” Castrodes explained.
“Yung ugali namin talaga kasi binubuild ng coach namin nung high school sa Adamson ‘yon. Yung ugali talaga. And then sa training namin, parang college na noon ‘eh para pagpunta namin sa college, hindi na kami masyado mahirapan. Dami ko na-learn sa high school sa Adamson kaya I’m so happy sa time ko there.”
