EJ Castillo hasn’t even suited up for his first NCAA seniors game, but the Emilio Aguinaldo College rookie is already sharpening his skills on an international stage.
The 19-year-old guard, widely regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Philippine basketball, is part of the elite group chosen to attend Curry Camp 2025 in Chongqing, China—a rare opportunity to train directly under NBA superstar Steph Curry.
Castillo, a two-time Mythical Five standout during his NCAA juniors career, represents EAC alongside fellow Filipino prospect Koji Buenaflor of the University of Santo Tomas. Over four days, the camp gathers select rising stars from Asia and beyond, exposing them to world-class drills focused on shooting, ball-handling, and decision-making—the very skills that made Curry a generational icon.
For Castillo, the timing couldn’t be more ideal. EAC enters NCAA Season 101 with renewed confidence after its surprising run to the quarterfinals of the 2025 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup and its championship sweep in the U25 Cheng Hoo Cup in Indonesia. With Castillo’s inclusion in the Generals’ senior roster, expectations are building that the program may finally turn the corner from dark horse to contender.
More than just a skills clinic, Curry Camp also provides exposure and networking for young athletes eyeing bigger platforms. For Castillo, it’s a chance to measure his game against international peers and return to Manila with the kind of confidence and polish that could set him apart in his rookie season.
“It’s an experience that can change the way a young player approaches the game,” one NCAA coach noted. “If he applies what he learns from someone like Steph Curry, it could accelerate his growth by years.”
EAC fans may still be weeks away from seeing Castillo in NCAA action, but his trip to China already signals one thing: the Generals may have found their next game-changer.