A healthy and streaking Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is one thing, but an evenly healthy Jayson Castro has been more than a headache for Ginebra in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.
When the chips are down, TNT can count Jayson Castro to steady the ship for the Tropang Giga.
That’s what he’s done so far in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals against Ginebra.
His best game came in the opener when he schooled RJ Abarrientos, dropping 12 of his 14 points in the third period to set TNT up for a breakaway 104-88 win.
“Sobrang masaya ako kasi 'yung core ng team ngayon mganda unlike nung past year namin, sobrang daming injuries at the same time parang 'di balanced 'yung team,” said Castro after the Tropang Giga claimed a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.
“Ngayon kahit sinong ipasok mo ang mentality namin is to defend. Hindi to score. Basta dumepensa ka yung score darating na lang 'yun.”
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TNT coach Chot Reyes attributed that to his teammates like Rey Nambatac and Brian Heruela for taking care of the playmaking duties while Castro rested or nursed an injury.
“First of all, the reason Jayson can play at this level it was because of the great game of his teammates, Rey and the other guards, even Brian Heruela in the elims and even in the playoffs. We’re able to preserve Jayson,” Reyes said.
“If you remember in the semis, we sat him one or two games right because we really wanted to save him for the Finals.”
That allowed the two-time Best Point Guard in Asia to come into the Finals with fresh legs.
“The reason he’s playing at that level now was because he’s relatively fresh,” said the veteran mentor.
“We all know what he can bring to the table. He’s just showing us his value as our lead guard, coming off the bench, leading that second unit, that's very important.”
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The Tropang Giga will need Castro to be at full strength as they go for a 3-0 lead in Game 3 on Friday, November 1 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.