MANILA, Philippines?The Singapore Slingers are making one final push to keep Filipino cage star Jason Castro in their fold, a bid that would most likely be turned down by Talk ?N Text, the Philippine Basketball Association team that owns the rights on the fiery guard.

Management of both teams were to hold a teleconference late Tuesday night, with the Singapore-based ballclub expected to ask the Phone Pals if they could have Castro play for them until February in invitational tournaments.

Castro, the 5-foot-10 former Harbour Centre standout in the Philippine Basketball League, has opted out of his contract with the Slingers since the club has ceased participating in the National Basketball League in Australia.

He signed a lucrative deal with the Slingers early this year but opted out after being drafted by the Phone Pals. Castro had initially signed up to play in the NBL but the Slingers pulled out of the Australian league to concentrate on creating an Asian-based tournament.

Castro was picked third overall by the Phone Pals, who acquired the rights to the third selection from San Miguel in exchange for versatile forward Anthony Jay Washington.

The Phone Pals boosted their backcourt stock by drafting Castro and Filipino-American Jared Dillinger, tapped at No. 2 and seen by many as the surprise of the pool.

There were reports that the Slingers are willing to match Castro?s maximum P8.7 million, three-year deal with the Phone Pals and pay the Filipino point guard that amount for just two years.