La Salle sophomore Lilay Del Castillo plays her best game for the Lady Spikers in UAAP Season 87 on her late mother’s 61st birthday.
There are times in sport where timing is poetic, and Lilay Del Castillo’s breakout game for La Salle was just that.
In a bounce back win over the UP Fighting Maroons, Del Castillo emerged as a viable option on offense with 11 points built on three attacks, four aces, and four blocks. As it turns out, it was also her late mother’s birthday.
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After the big game, Del Castillo could hardly contain her happiness.
“Super happy po sa performance ko ngayon kasi nag-translate lahat ng pinaghirapan ko sa training kung gaano ko po kinayod buong season. Ngayon po super happy ako and nakakuha ako ng kumpiyansa ngayong game,” said Del Castillo.
“Super duper happy ako na ganito yung performance ko today kasi sabi ko pagkagising ko I dedicate this game for my nanay, kasi birthday niya po ngayon 61st birthday niya po ngayon,” she added.
Del Castillo’s mother passed away in late 2023, but was instrumental in her growth as an athlete.
Though she may not be present physically, the 20-year-old keeps her mother’s memory in her heart, especially as she saw the La Sallian’s progress before moving on in life.
“Sabi ko I’ll do my best to make her proud and I know she [has] the best seat always sa arena so sabi ko I’ll do my best for my nanay always,” she said.
As for how she treats her performance, Del Castillo said that she’ll work to keep the quality of her play where it is.
Setting a new standard, Del Castillo hopes to repeat her effort for the rest of the season.
“Siyempre parang every day laging more pa [yung gusto ko magawa]. I mean this could be the standard but for me hindi na dapat bababa, dapat puro lang ako paangat,” said Del Castillo.
“Every game and training doon ako kumukuha ng kumpiyansa hoping na ma-translate ko siya every game para maka-contribute din sa team para di masayang yung tiwalang binigay sa akin ng mga ates and mga coaches na maglaro sa court,” she added.
The next challenge up for Del Castillo and the rest of the DLSU Lady Spikers will be the winless UE Lady Warriors whom they face on Saturday, March 8, at the Mall of Asia Arena.