NATIONAL U’s newfound dominance in UAAP women’s volleyball was a decade-and-a-half in the making.
And as the Jhocson-based school lifted its third title in the last four seasons, the Lady Bulldogs’ graduating seniors made sure not to forget the architect who built the blue-and-gold's volleyball ascendancy by design.
The mastermind of it all? Veteran coach Raymund ‘Babes’ Castillo.
READ: How NU played through three head coaches to win three UAAP titles
Coach Babes, as he’s known in the volleyball community, first set foot in the UAAP high school ranks in the early 2010s.
His goal was clear as day: to hone NU-Nazareth School into a juniors powerhouse just like De La Salle Zobel, University of Santo Tomas, and Hope Christian High School at the time.
Once based thousands of miles away from the country in Toronto, Canada, Castillo was up for the challenge of ushering change that was once far-fetched for NU.
That’s when, one year at a time, new-generation stars would emerge in the program, including the likes of Alas Pilipinas mainstays Thea Gagate, Faith Nisperos, and Jen Nierva.
Fast forward to all these years later, the Lady Bulldogs’ departing quartet in three-time MVP Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Erin Pangilinan, and Sheena Toring were all products of the revitalized Bullpups volleyball program.
They were five-time UAAP girls’ volleyball champions from Seasons 77 (2015) to 80 (2018) and then 82 (2020).
National U's 'One Team, Strong Team'
SPIN.ph caught up with the architect himself who shared how the early days of his tenure had more questions than answers, as he aimed to instill the belief that what was once impossible with National U will soon find a way under his leadership.
This golden generation, as many wouuld call it, was NU's 'One Team, Strong Team.'
"I remember on my first year working with the girls, an NU administration officer asked me, 'How can we defeat DLSU?', talking about then the women’s team. I answered by saying, 'I think defeating them once is not an impossible task. It’s how we gain their true respect, I believe is the most important question to ask,'" Castillo said.
"After our two years of working together, not only that they won their first UAAP girls crown, most importantly, they discovered their volleyball 'why.'
"Since then, everything changed on the 'whats” and the 'hows' of how we do things. On a daily basis, we became very intentful and always mindful of about anything."
Castillo also laid five defining attributes that laid the groundwork for what National U's volleyball program has grown to be over the last decade: the players' relentless dedication, the fundamentals of the game being 'true power' for them, commitment to a strong mindset, being perpetual learners, and performing to inspire.
And in that Season 87 championship run, all five were on full display from start to finish.
"Every training session is treated like it’s the last for their season. They not only try to do the right thing, but for us, the most effective way of doing things (is) everyone shows up and switched on. In effect, their mental focus and resilience under pressure developed," Castillo said.
"Together, we understood that everything will pass, that we are just passersby in this game of volleyball. Therefore, they focused on how best they can perform their responsibilities, and not get distracted by the trapping of their position or status. This is our way of serving others."
You got me, Babes
It was Castillo who called the shots for NUNS for the most part when Natonal U’s golden generation first came about, along with now-team manager Regine Diego.
And for all he’s done to set up what would be a dynasty in the making in the next level, the Lady Bulldogs' departing seniors will forever be grateful.
“Pinaka-credit talaga among all our coaches, kay coach Babes. Siya talaga nag-mold sa character namin,” Pangilinan said.
“In-emphasize niya each and every moment with him ‘yung character and ‘yung attitude towards playing volleyball, kung ano bang dapat namin gawin, and kung paano mas maging reactive sa iba’t-ibang sitwasyon.”
Under Castillo’s leadership, a non-traditional powerhouse like NU was able to dream big again and go toe-to-toe with the league’s giants.
“Minold kami ng NU to be humble and simple. Since NU is not that big and hindi naman siya ganun ka-grand na nasa Top 4 universities, we wanted to be hungry for more to achieve more kasi from scratch din yung programa namin,” Pangilinan added.
Toring furthered, “Naging bunga pa nu’n [under Coach Babes] is ‘yung loyalty namin sa NU kasi we decided to stay talaga. ‘Yun talaga yung dahilan kung bakit kami nag-stay sa NU, para ituloy namin yung championships namin from high school to college."
“May mantra nga kami sa NUNS nu’n na ‘stay focused, stay humble, stay hungry.’ ‘Yun lang talaga ‘yung palagi naming nire-remind sa sarili namin.”
A star (or two) was born
Now-thrice MVP in the collegiate ranks, Belen’s golden swan song in the UAAP became an emotional moment of reflection on her 11-year journey as a Nationalian.
From the groundwork laid by Castillo to the unrivaled success National U has had over the years, Belen will forever be thankful that she fought for her dream in Jhocson.
“I'm very thankful sa NU ako napunta and hindi ko sinukuan ‘yung pangarap ko and sa NU ko siya tinuloy,” Belen said.
“Halos kalahati ng buhay ko, nasa NU po ako — kalahati talaga, 22 [years old] na po ako eh, 11 years ako sa NU. Marami akong natutunan kahit na dumaan kami sa iba't-ibang coaches, iba't-ibang players.
“Talagang ‘yung NU management, ‘di kami pinabayaan, ‘di nila kami tinuring na parang basta player lang. Tinuring kami na parang anak talaga sa NU at naging malaking part siya ng buhay ko.”
In her own seven-year stay, albeit four years later than Belen, Solomon saw herself change for the better in a competitive and nurturing environment she grew up with in Sampaloc.
“Sobrang thankful ako napunta ako sa NU kasi though late ako pumasok, nakita ko kung gaano ka-hardworking yung mga teammate ko na parang ikaw na lang din ‘yung mahihiya na hindi gumalaw nang ayos.
“‘Yung memories namin together du’n sa hirap ng mga sitwasyon, magkakasama pa rin kami, hinaharap namin ‘yun and kami rin ‘yung gumagawa ng solusyon po kung paano namin mababago yung sitwasyon.”
Gold (and blue) legacy
Like Castillo, who has since moved on to Ateneo to lead its high school volleyball programs, it’s now their turn as exiting seniors to leave a winning legacy behind.
“‘Yung heart of a champion ‘yung maiiwan naming seniors [na legacy] na lagi kaming nasa finals. I think ‘yun din ‘yung maiiwan namin sa mga bata, kung paano maglaro under pressure,” Solomon said.
Coach Babes made National U believe again. Belen and the rest of the golden generation made the dream happen.
"I believe this batch of the NU women’s volleyball team has earned by winning their UAAP back to back championships, is respect." Castillo said.
"Allow me to end by expressing my sincerest thank you to the late Edwin Lee who brought me to NU, Engr. Bing See Diet, Sir Hans Sy, Ma’m Clara Manzano Lacson, Sir Nilo Ocampo, Sir Chito Loyzaga, Marc Galido and the rest of the NU Athletics office.
"And most importantly, to Sheena Toring, Shaira Mae Jardio, Yesha Noceja, Kiane Louise Olango, Vangie Alinsug, Minierva 'Cham-Cham” Maaya' Alyssa Solomon, Michaela “Bella” Belen, Camille Lamina and Erin Pangilinan, the last batch of our 'One Team, Strong Team.'
"It was an epic journey, truly legendary. Mission accomplished."
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