EAC Brigadier EJ Castillo says move to Manila allowed him to grow as a player

Published February 24, 2024 3:44pm

Updated February 24, 2024 3:44pm

Playing in the NCAA is not new for Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadier EJ Castillo.

Castillo was part of the Brigadier’s lineup in Season 98 of the juniors basketball tournament and in Season 99, he is now one of the leaders of EAC’s campaign. In just five games, the Grade 11 student-athlete has already posted averages of 24.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per outing.

However, it is his environment that is new for Castillo.

From Imus, Cavite, Castillo now resides in Manila, a move which he attributed to his growth as a player.

“Nanibago po ako kasi probinsyano po ako sa Cavite, sa Imus. First time ko po mag-dorm tapos ‘yung training, Manila-based,” Castillo told GMA News Online.

“Grabe po ‘yun, nawala po ako sa comfort zone ko pero doon ako nag-grow.”

(I was adjusting because I came from the province in Imus, Cavite. It is my first time to live in a dorm and my training is Manila-based. I was out of my comfort zone but it was how I have grown.)

Growing, indeed, also has its pains as the Brigadiers have lost three straight games after winning their opening match. However, the skid was snapped after EAC won against the winless Lyceum of the Philippines University.

With a 2-3 record, Castillo said he remains optimistic about the Brigadiers’ campaign.

“Naniniwala po ako sa mga plano ni God. Alam kong planado niya lahat ‘to kaya malakas kumpiyansa ko sa team ko na kaya mag-Final Four and mag-champion,” said Castillo, who is a fan of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Allen Iverson.

(I believe in God’s plans. He has a plan in all of these so I am confident that my team will still reach the Final Four and be champions.)

For head coach Noy Catalan, the players also still need to grow in the game.

“Siguro lang, ‘yung tatlong talo namin, mas team ang kalaban namin. Seven months lang namin binuo ‘to and isang liga lang sinalihan namin so ‘di pa ganoon ka-matured ang players namin,” said Catalan.

“Si EJ naman, given na ‘yan. Sabi ko sa kanya, kailangan niya dagdagan ‘yung assist niya kasi di niya naman kayang buhatin mag-isa ang team,” the head coach added as four EAC players scored in double digits on Friday.

(Perhaps our three losses were more on going against ourselves as a team. We only had seven months to build this and we only joined one league so the players have not matured much. EJ is already a given. I just told him to assist more as he can’t lift this team alone.)

EAC will take on the defending champs Colegio de San Juan de Letran on Sunday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News