Jayson Castro stepped up as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson misfired in Game 1 of the TNT Tropang Giga's semifinal battle with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Jayson Castro flexed his veteran presence for TNT, showing up when his team needed him the most to ensure their Game 1 victory, 88-84, over Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven finals Wednesday, Feb. 26.
But Castro, who received Player of the Game honors on his team-best 24 points he topped with two rebounds, three assists and four steals, was far from satisfied with how he and the rest of the Tropang Giga performed.
"Personally, sobrang hindi ganoon kaganda ang game namin," said Castro during the post-game press conference.
TNT coach Chot Reyes, who sat beside him as they faced the press, nodded in agreement.
"Kung makikita ninyo 'yung stats, kahit ako, nakailang turnovers ako. At the same time, RHJ (Rondae Hollis-Jefferson) also," added Castro.
Castro blundered on five turnovers while Hollis-Jefferson had four.
[RELATED STORY: Chot relieved as Tropang Giga pull off Game 1 victory despite RHJ's offensive struggle]
Overall, the team committed 13, which the Elasto Painters converted into 11 points.
It was an off night for the Tropang Giga import, who kept misfiring and wound up with a measly 8-for-27 shooting clip.
Although it was still enough for a second-best 23 points thanks to his 7-for-9 conversion from the charity stripe.
As RHJ struggled from the field, Castro took the scoring cudgels and hardly missed with his 7-for-10 conversion from the field, including 6-for-7 from three-point range.
He just did what he had to do, said Castro.
"Siguro, kung anong ibinibigay ng defense, 'yun lang 'yung kinukuha ko. At the same time, kailangang mag-contribute sa scoring kasi that moment, hindi kami maka-excute, 'di kami maka-shoot as a veteran. Kailangang maka-contribute. Siguro, natapat lang," said Castro.
[WATCH: Jayson Castro catches fire in TNT's Game 1 semis win over Rain or Shine | PBA Highlights]
Castro also mentioned how RR Pogoy did not play well, with the guard being limited to just nine points as he just hit three of his nine shots from the field in more than 28 minutes of action.
Lending his hand was Oftana, who showed no signs of fatigue despite his hectic schedule with Gilas Pilipinas.
Oftana, fresh from the Nationals' FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers Window 3 campaign, drilled in six triples for 22 points.
In the end, Castro was just grateful that the Tropang Giga's defense pulled them through even as he headed to the bench on a flagrant foul 1 infraction he committed against Andrei Caracut with just under two minutes left in the match.
This allowed Rain or Shine to threaten within three, 84-87, on Caracut's trip to the line.
But the Elasto Painters could not finish it off, and TNT was able to hang on with defensive stops in the end.
"Siguro 'yung defense lang namin ang nagpapanalo sa'min this game," said Castro.