How a jersey number switch inspired EJ Castillo to improve

EJ Castillo has been nothing short of phenomenal in the ongoing NCAA Season 99 juniors basketball contest, burying multiple 30-point games to lead the Emilio Aguinaldo College Brigadiers.

The 6-foot guard said it’s all thanks to a switch in jersey number.

Castillo was already a usual starter for EAC in Season 98, averaging 10.0 points, 3.33 rebounds, and 1.89 assists while wearing jersey number 23. However, the 17-year-old gunner didn’t want to settle for that as he decided to open a fresh campaign in Season 99 with a brand new purpose — and a uniform number.

Now sporting number 24 inspired by his childhood idol in the late Kobe Bryant, Castillo rose as one of the top scorers in the league, collecting three 30-point games to emerge as the lethal sniper for the Brigadiers.

“Last year din po kasi, ‘yung number ko ay 23. Eh may nabasa po ako about kay Kobe na kaya po siya nag-24 para maangatan si (Michael) Jordan, parang gano’n po,” Castillo shared to GMA News Online.

“So gusto ko lang gawing motivation ‘yung last year ko at mahigitan kung ano ‘yung ginawa ko.”

(Last year, my number was 23. I read somewhere that Kobe changed his jersey number to 24 to one up Jordan, something like that. So I just want it to use as a motivation, so I will be better and exceed what I have done.)

Castillo dropped 30 points in their season opener against College of Saint Benilde-La Salle Green Hills before drilling a season-high 32 markers against San Sebastian College-Recoletos.

On Friday, Castillo didn’t let his team down as he churned out 30 points to star in their 73-64 win against Arellano University that helped them improve to 3-5. He also grabbed eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals to complete another all-around outing.

Castillo admitted that he is out to provide EAC a better performance than he did last season, where EAC actually finished without a win as they wound up last with a 0-9 card.

“Hindi po ako consistent no’n eh, kaya ginawa ko pong motivation ‘yun. Dinagdagan  ko lang ‘yung intensity ng laro ko and ‘yung guidance ng parents at coaches.”