With the Honk Kong-based squad out of the way, Jayson Castro and the TNT Tropang Giga now await the winner between the Converge FiberXers and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Not even TNT superstar was spared from coach Chot Reyes’ ire in the aftermath of a 96-106 loss to Rain or Shine in their final assignment in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round.
Reyes bared this after the Tropang Giga’s 109-93 win over a weary Eastern side in the quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 6.
“I just want to comment on the kind of veteran, the kind of leader that Jayson is because pinagalitan ko talaga siya the last game against Rain or Shine. I said in front of the team, that kind of effort, that kind of defense was not acceptable,” Reyes said.
Castro took it professionally and responded in a big way, churning out 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, and a steal as TNT marched on to the semifinals.
Reyes was pleased.
“Yun ang maganda sa team namin, and Jayson is the perfect example of the ability and the willingness to accept negative feedback and use it,” added Reyes.
“We’re very direct, but everything is for the good of the team. Great bounce back for Jayson.”
It did not seem like it was the first time a dressing down at the hands of Reyes happened.
In fact, the two-time Asia’s Best Point Guard welcomed it since it meant the multi-titled mentor still sees him as a vital cog at 38 years old.
“Of course ang tagal na natin dito sa PBA and ang tagal na namin magkasama ni coach. As a veteran, kailangan mo iano yung sarili mo sa mga ganoong situations kasi tinitignan ako ng mga ibang teammates ko kung paano mag-bounce back, at the same time, makabawi man lang sa game na 'to,” Castro said.
“Thank you for coach na pinapagalitan ako kasi ibig sabihin, may value pa ako sa team.”
Aside from Castro, also stepping up were Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Rey Nambatac.
RHJ wound up with game-high 31 points to go with 15 rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Nambatac took charge in the fourth period where he dropped 11 of his 18 points.
The spitfire guard also had four assists.
While the Tropang Giga came out oozing with energy, the guest team looked spent after playing their second game in 24 hours.
Eastern was coming off a 61-87 loss to Taoyuan Pilots in the East Asia Super League.
Hours after arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the visitors had to drag themselves to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and take on the well-rested TNT.
Hayden Blankley paced the team with 24 points, seven rebounds, and two assists, while Cameron Clark had 16 points and eight boards.
The Scores:
TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 31, Nambatac 18, Castro 16, Oftana 12, Erram 15, Pogoy 6, Williams 6, Aurin 4, Khobuntin 1.
EASTERN 93 – Blankley 24, Clark 16, Yang 14, Lam 11, Chan 9, Zhu 8, Guincahrd 5, Xu 4, Cao 2, Leung 0.
Quarterscores: 27-24, 51-50, 80-73, 109-93