There’s nothing more encouraging than shooting the lights out in New Zealand Bluefire’s closer for the first round of the WMPBL season.
Khate Castillo believes that the New Zealand Bluefire-Batangas Valkyries are at the top of their game midway through the regular season of the Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
This is after Valkyries overwhelmed the Solar Home-Pangasinan Suns, 100-61, at the Olivarez College Gymnasium last Sunday.
Dropping a whopping 14 triples in their blowout win against the red-hot Suns, it was a big confidence booster after they suffered their first loss of the season against San Juan in their previous game.
According to Castillo, the win proved that the team is on the right track and are ready to get to the next level halfway through the season.
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“Masaya [a]ko kasi syempre, parang lahat kami kumpiyansa tumira at saka gumalaw sa loob ng court at saka may chemistry na talaga kami halos lahat sa court, mas maganda 'yun sa team namin para makatulong na manalo kami bawat game,” said Castillo, whose team boasts a 4-1 record after the first round.
Coming on the heels of her recent stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup, Castillo said she’s returned a better player, especially with how she deals with her teammates.
Having been one of the few veterans in the team where the Gilas women qualified for a spot in the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers next year, Castillo had to step into a role that required her to be more influential to her teammates.
Among the more experienced players as well in New Zealand Bluefire, Castillo said that she was able to learn a lot.
“Siguro yung [nadala ko pabalik 'yung] pagccheer up ko [sa teammates ko] on and off the court, kahit nakaupo kami, nakaupo ako, chine-cheer ko sila. Kasi kahit saan namang laro ganun naman kailangan eh para magkakumpiyansa 'yung teammates ko sa loob ng court,” she said.
At the end of the day, Castillo is happy to be a part of history as they are now midway through the league’s inaugural professional season.
Waiting a long time for a next step after her college career, Castillo is delighted that younger players are now provided with a clear pathway and are given more opportunities with the WMPBL.
“Sobrang importante 'yan sa mga young players na pagka-graduate ng college, may laro na ganito kasi siyempre, we love playing basketball 'yun talaga 'yung… dine-dedicate namin 'yung laro pagka-graduate namin para makakuha ng bagong team pagkatapos ng college,” she said.