He still has plenty in the tank, apparently.
At 37 and with a long history of injury, Jayson Castro is supposed to be playing in spurts only in this new era of TNT Tropang Giga.
But, at least for the time being, it appears he will have to wear his main man hat yet again with TNT missing the services of key players like RR Pogoy and Poy Erram while also playing without go-to-guy Mikey Williams, whose dragging hold out continues to be a lingering issue for the team.
The veteran, though, is not complaining. In fact, he is ready and willing to be that guy again. It also helps that he is healthy and injury-free.
“After bubble, sobrang inalagaan ko ‘yung katawan ko kasi as one of the veterans, kailangan present ka lagi sa practice at sa game,” Castro said in the postgame press conference after TNT escaped the Converge FiberXers, 101-98, in overtime. “Nagkataon lang siguro na na-injured sila (Pogoy and company), pero they were ready naman during mga crucial game. Habang wala pa sila, kung kailangan ma-extend ‘yung minutes ko, okay lang kasi I feel healthy naman.”
He was ready all right, scoring 23 points for TNT to go along with eight rebounds and three assists as he took on an even bigger role with the ejection of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in what was a highly physical contest that seemingly riled up not only RHJ, but also Lastimosa.
“As a veteran, I’m one of the leaders sa team na ‘to. Kailangan namin (TNT veterans) ipakita (kahit) without import na we’re still fighting, at the same time, ‘yung character ng team. Knowing TNT, ‘yung winning tradition namin, so kailangan namin ipakita ‘yun para mag-follow ‘yung mga young guys namin.”
Indeed, Castro led the way against Converge—and all the others followed his lead. And he will have to do it again and again early in the season.
Good thing then that he is ready for it.