TNT is up 2-0 in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine but the Tropang Giga will now have to get the job done without Jayson Castro.
Despite being up 2-0, TNT suffered a big blow in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine.
This after Jayson Castro is set to sit out the remainder of the season after sustaining a patellar tendon tear on his right knee, the PBA reported on its website on Saturday, March 1.
Team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed this development on the reigning PBA Governors' Cup Finals MVP.
“He’s out 10-12 months,” Lastimosa was quoted as saying.
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The injury happened with under three minutes left to play in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series when Castro drove against Adrian Nocum.
Team staff had to assist the seasoned playmaker, who had 13 impactful points for the Tropang Giga, on top of five rebounds and five assists before his exit towards the PhilSports Arena dugout shortly after.
TNT went on to take a 93-91 win for a 2-0 lead in what was shaping up to be a nip-and-tuck duel against the Elasto Painters.
But with Castro now out, TNT coach Chot Reyes needs to make do with the aces left on his deck. Notably, Castro starred in the Tropang Giga's close Game 1 win, pouring 24 points on 6/7 shooting from deep.
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Game 3 of the TNT-Rain or Shine series is set on Sunday, March 2, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with the Tropang Giga looking to rally behind their injured leader as they go for three straight dubs.