Ateneo Recruits 6-Foot-7 Gilas Youth Stephen Castillejos
Stephen Hans Castillejos, a 6-foot-7 center and national youth team member, has officially committed to the Ateneo Blue Eagles. The move marks a key step in the basketball journey of the former FEU Baby Tamaraws standout.
In an exclusive interview, Castillejos shared that Ateneo had always been at the top of his list, both for its basketball program and academic reputation.
“Unang-una po dream school ko po ’yung Ateneo,” he said. “Tsaka, matagal ko na din pong gusto – at pati ’yung program nakikita ko is pinakamaganda para sa akin.”
The move was finalized last weekend after he met with Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and team manager Epok Quimpo. Castillejos informed FEU of his decision to leave on Monday, formally closing his chapter with the Baby Tamaraws.
Several schools had expressed interest in the young big man, including San Sebastian College-Recoletos and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA. In the end, it was Ateneo’s system and development track record that convinced him to commit.
“San Sebastian, Perpetual,” he said, when asked which schools had recruited him.
Castillejos began attracting national attention as a member of the Pampanga Delta U16 team. He later earned a spot in the Gilas Pilipinas U18 lineup for the 2024 FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers in Malaysia, where he played in three games. Though he didn’t make the final roster for the main tournament in Jordan, his inclusion in the national team pool underscored his potential.
Now, as he prepares to join one of the most prestigious collegiate programs in the country, Castillejos knows his role won’t be about instant impact, but about growth.
“Yung role ko po is ma-develop po ako…’yon po,” he said.
While immediate playing time may be limited, Ateneo sees him as a long-term project with the size and upside to eventually contribute in a big way. The Blue Eagles, known for grooming raw talent into high-level players, appear to be the right fit for the young center’s development.
For Castillejos, the commitment represents more than just a basketball move. It’s the realization of a goal he’s held for years—joining his dream school and putting himself in the best environment to grow on and off the court.
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