BY Gwen Bergado
LA SALLE is well-known for more than a handful of things in women's volleyball.
A two decade-long championship standard. Incomparable and countless stars. A system built on height, length, and blocking. And most noticeable of all, that green-and-white swag.
From Aby Marano to Jolina dela Cruz and now, Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers have long been unafraid to show their attitude on the taraflex.
Enter Lilay del Castillo, the latest Taft tower who wears her heart on her sleeve, as she slowly but surely comes out of her shell.
And better believe she'll sustain that same sort of intensity from now until the foreseeable future - even in the face of and amidst the noise from haters and non-believers.
“That’s how I boost myself. Dun ko nakukuha yung confidence ko, dun ko nakukuha ‘yung init ko sa laro,” the middle blocker expressed to SPIN.ph after their four-set bounce back win against the University of the Philippines.
READ: Canino carries La Salle past UP, back into win column
“Basta ako, I’m doing my thing and nagko-contribute lang ako sa team ako,” she added after her first double-digit outing in the UAAP with 11 points.
The Caloocan native delivered the goods from the service line with four aces, laced with her defensive and offensive contributions from the frontline with four blocks and three attacks.
This is so far her best performance after seeing limited minutes in her rookie season.
A new Taft tower on the rise
La Salle's net dominance is derived from a long line of standout middle blockers - whether Marano or Mika Reyes or Majoy Baron or Thea Gagate - who have all dug deep and stood tall at the trenches throughout their 12 championships, eight runner-up finishes, and two bronze medals.
Del Castillo knows full well the storied history of the spot she now stands on - and is raring and ready to step up to the plate.
“Ako, personally, gusto ko maging part din doon, of course, kasi part na ako ng system ni coach [Ramil De Jesus],” the 19 year old Lady Spiker shared.
"Nandun ‘yung pressure, pero hindi ako super nagpe-pay attention. Nagfo-focus lang ako sa system, sa sarili ko."
And as La Salle has just leveled its standing to 4-4 in the earlygoing of the tournament, del Castillo is choosing to see the silver linings still present in their roller-coaster ride so far.
“Good din na nangyari ‘to early in the season, so kaya na namin ma-adjust ‘yung mga following games namin,” she said.
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