Slowly but surely, Talk ‘N Text is regaining its championship form with its vital cogs returning from injuries.
After Ranidel de Ocampo came back from a hamstring injury to lead the Tropang Texters to a win over the Alaska Aces last May 17, Castro made his 2015 Governors’ Cup debut to boost Talk ‘N Text to its third win at the expense of NLEX Tuesday night.
“Sabi lang ni coach hanapin mo agad yung rhythm mo once na makuha mo bola,” Castro said after his team’s 108-89 victory. “If you’re open shoot it para at least makuha mo agad yung confidence mo. So buti naman yung first three shots ko may na-shoot akong isa.”
(Coach said to just find a rhythm once you get the ball. If you’re open, shoot it so you get your confidence back. So it was a good thing out of my first three shots, one went in.)
READ: PBA: Castro returns, tows Talk N’ Text past NLEX
The fleet-footed guard said he had little trouble going back to his ways especially at the offensive end where he scored inside and out – keeping the Road Warriors on their heels defensively.
Asian import Sam Daghles has been filling in with the absence of Castro as well as rookie guard Kevin Alas, who is still out with a foot injury, at the guard spot and Castro acknowledged the help that the Texters have been getting from the American-Jordanian.
The addition of the veteran Daghles has also allowed Talk ‘N Text field in a more flexible lineup.
“Okay kasi may kapalitan ako. Pwede akong mag-two position kasi dati puro point guard. Kasi si Sam veteran point guard alam niya kung paano kami i-setup.”
(It’s okay because I have someone to replace me. I can be on the 2 spot not unlike before when I only play point. Sam is a veteran point guard so I know how to set up.)
The way Daghles plays reminds Castro of his former teammate turned team manager.
“Parang siya si Jimmy (Alapag) kasi lahat ini-involve niya and sa mga fastbreak finoforward talaga niya which is maganda sa amin kasi na-outrun namin mga kalaban hindi kagaya dati na takot kami pumasa ng forward pass.”
(He’s like Jimmy Alapag, he tries to involve everyone. In fast breaks, he really pushes the ball forward which is good for us because we can outrun our opponents unlike before that we’re afraid to pass the ball forward.)
Castro also said that the makeup of Talk ‘N Text’s team this conference is better than that of the previous conference in terms of depth.
“Maganda kasi balanced talaga team namin ngayon. Unlike nung nag-champion kami. Nag-champion kami pero up to eight players lang pero ngayon deep na bench namin.”
(It’s good because we have a balanced team. Unlike before when we won the championship. Before we could play with only up to eight players but now we have a deep bench). CC