Ateneo spiker joins SV.League

Another Filipino volleyball star landed a stint in the Japan SV.League.

Ateneo De Manila University product Brian Castro signed with the Japanese club Fragolad Kagoshima as an import, his agency, VP Global Management, announced on Friday.

The former Blue Eagles standout will be joining the squad in its debut in the SV.League following Fragolad Kagoshima’s promotion to Division 1 for the 2026-2027 season.

“I’d like to say I’m very excited. This is one of the biggest experiences I’ll ever do in my volleyball career. I’m very excited. I’d like to say thank you to the whole team that’s helped me get to this point,” Castro said.

The young middle blocker, who helped Ateneo reach the Final Four in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88, is currently in the US.

Castro shared that he is preparing physically and mentally for the next big step in his volleyball career.

“I’m in the US. I’m just enjoying seeing my family and friends for now. But I’m also playing volleyball, getting ready mentally and physically. I actually just played volleyball right now, but once I come back to the Philippines in two weeks, I’ll be playing volleyball even more consistently,” he said.

Castro is the third Pinoy spiker to get a contract in the prestigious Asian club league after fellow Atenean Marck Espejo and National University product Bryan Bagunas.

“They’ve always inspired me ever since I watched them back in the UAAP days. I actually played against Kuya Marck back last year in our training camp in Osaka when he was with his Japanese team and it was such a great experience,” Castro said.

“And it was super inspiring to see that Kuya Marck and even Kuya Bryan that we all can play in overseas volleyball. I’m very excited to always represent them and represent the Filipino community.”

Castro’s Japan stint was made possible through the work of VP Global Management and FIVB agent Alessandro Castro.