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Jayson Castro, who remains an integral part of TNT’s early success despite being overshadowed by his younger teammates, became the latest player to join the 8,000-point club during Monday’s comeback win over Phoenix Super. LPG.
Castro’s layup with 8:50 left in the first quarter of Tropang Giga’s 110-91 triumph at the Centro Cultural y Deportivo de la Fundación Universitaria de Angeles made him the 35th player in PBA history to reach the milestone.
He ended up scoring 10 points, including six in the third when TNT was able to complete a course change after being 14 down in the second quarter, although much of the attention was on RR Pogoy, who lost 30 points despite having a sprain of right ankle.
Coach Bong Ravena said Castro doesn’t care if the spotlight is currently on Pogoy, Ray Parks Jr. and Poy Erram, who have been primarily responsible for the Tropang Giga’s 4-0 start inside the bubble.
In fact, it was Castro, Ravena said, who initiated the need for him to play the complementary role.
“We had a meeting with the players before the bubble and Jayson said, ‘Don’t worry about me. I will adapt to all. Enough all games nandyan lang ako lagi. “So I win at an ang level and Jayson,” Ravena said.
Gilas Pilipinas legend’s numbers hold steady at 16.0 points with 48 percent shooting, 3.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals in four games.
He can still deliver when needed, particularly during the official season restart against Alaska on Oct. 11, when Castro made big plays on both ends to preserve a 100-95 win.
Against defending champion San Miguel Beer last Friday, Castro dished out 11 assists, some of which were directed at Erram, who finished with a career-high 28 points when TNT posted a 107-88 victory.
Castro was 3-for-10 against Phoenix, but his layup with two minutes left put TNT on top definitely at 70-68.
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