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SMART CLARK GIGA CITY – Jayson Castro and Ray Parks are excluded from TNT’s life-and-death fight with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the 2020 PBA Philippines Cup Finals on Wednesday.
Tropang Giga head coach Bong Ravena confirmed that the two are not in a position to see the action in the 6:00 pm match due to their respective injuries, indeed a great success in their attempt to overcome a 3-1 deficit at best. seven series.
“I won’t be able to play tonight,“Was the short reply from the experienced banking strategist via text message to Tiebreaker Times hours before kickoff.
Castro limped off the court with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter of Game Four last Sunday after a shove toward the bucket. It was later confirmed that he was bothered by the bone spurs in his left knee.
The 34-year-old, who has actually been playing in pain this season due to a persistent calf problem, has never returned to the game since. He left with just two points, two assists and two rebounds to his name.
Parks, meanwhile, has not played in the past three games after aggravating a calf injury. It was the same injury that prevented him from playing on TNT’s debut season reboot on Oct. 11 against the Alaska Aces.
That was a total disappointment for the 27-year-old, considering he was coming off a stellar performance in the semifinals against Phoenix Super LPG. There, he averaged 27.8 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists.
Geneva head coach Tim Cone said the Tropang Giga losing both Castro and Parks is the equivalent of the Gin Kings losing top players like Scottie Thompson and Stanley Pringle.
“They have a couple of really key players. It would be like we lost Scottie and Stanley. “ said the most accomplished mentor in the league. “And how difficult would it be for us to win without Scottie and Stanley?”
The absence of former Gilas Pilipinas guards may bode well for Barangay, who are aiming to end a 13-year title drought in the Philippine wars and also tie the legendary Crispa franchise with 13 championships.
Still, Geneva doesn’t want to take chances. Top-floor General LA Tenorio expects nothing short of a TNT revolt even without two of its leaders, especially now that he is fighting for his life.
The Gin Kings don’t need to look that far for a warning. Last Sunday, just when everyone thought everything was settled when they led by 18 at the beginning of the final chapter, the Troop suddenly rallied.
Behind the trio of Roger Pogoy, Troy Rosario and Poy Erram plus little-used point guard Almond Vosotros, the deficit narrowed to just three points twice in the final three minutes of the match.
Tenorio, however, was there to save Barangay with his well-timed 3s. But that doesn’t make them any less concerned about heading to the game tonight.
“Talk N Text, whether complete or missing, is reproduced the same way” said the 34-year-old, who is seeking his first Philippine Cup title. “I mean, they still have a lot of firepower. Most of them are also veterans. “
