'TAFT Towers' is a hallmark of La Salle women's volleyball. And of course, it has stood the test of time.
From recent forces like Amie Provido and Thea Gagate to dynasty cornerstones such as Majoy Baron, Aby Maraño, and Mika Reyes, the Lady Spikers have always had a standard-bearer who anchors their trademark terrifiying net defense.
And right now, the green-and-white already has its next in line in third-year player Lilay Del Castillo.
The 5-foot-11 middle entered the fold in Season 86 as a backup to Gagate before getting a bigger role in her sophomore year alongside Provido in the first six.
Her first year as starter showed flashes of being a stabilizing force while also bringing swag, both requisites for La Salle middles. Still, she was, more or less, up-and-down with her showings, as they finished the season as runners-up.
Fast forward to today, though, and Del Castillo is showing that the Taft faithful need not wait much longer for much more consistent contributions from her.
Against archrival Ateneo last Sunday, the Caloocan native broke out with 18 points, built on seven attacks, three aces, and a staggering eight blocks, the most by any Lady Spiker since Celine Hernandez’s nine kills back in 2007.
READ: La Salle downs Ateneo even after dropping first set of season
While the performance did come as a happy surprise, Del Castillo was quick to point out she was just doing what was expected of her, now actually one of the team's veterans.
“Part na ako ng core ng team eh. Hindi ako yung isa sa mga dapat nagpapabuhat pa. I believe ako na yung part sa team na kayang [bumuhat],” she told reporters.
“Ang lagi kong iniisip, parang dapat lang. Dapat lang, ganun yung contribution ko.”
Newest Taft tower
Although the 21 year old's breakout was a shining example of exactly what she can do, she'll also be the first to deflect credit to her coaches and teammates.
As she explained, "Feel ko, hindi ko lang naman i-credit yun sa akin kasi credit din siya sa wing spikers namin. Kasi hindi naman ako makaka-block if hindi sila nakakatapat nang ayos. So I feel like for them din yung eight blocks na yun.”
“Ginawa rin akong ganon ng mga coaches, so this time around, ito na yung chance ko makatulong sa kanila. So it's a team effort talaga. Grateful din ako kasi binigyan ako ng opportunity na makapag-perform na ganun. Pinagkatiwalaan ako, so ginrab ko lang din.”
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