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No amount of injuries and “did not plays” could stop Jayson Castro and TNT from taking its first game in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Against the defending Commissioner’s Cup Champion Rain or Shine, Castro put a depleted TNT on his back for the 101-98 win.
Rookie Troy Rosario, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and Larry Fonacier were all out in TNT opener.
READ: PBA Govs’ Cup: Castro wills TNT past Rain or Shine
Williams and Rosario can both man the middle and stretch the floor with their shooting despite playing the center and power forward positions—areas TNT needed filing against the bulk of Rain or Shine.
Castro admitted it was hard playing without their big men who can match up against Beau Belga, Raymond Almazan, and JR Quiñahan, but head coach Jong Uichico gave the orders to march on and take names.
“Mahirap na wala kaming big man, mga import pa ngayon big man din,” said Castro.
TNT import Mario Little, stands at around 6’3”, gives up around four inches against the taller Dior Lowhorn of Rain or Shine.
“Basta sabi ni coach keep on fighting kasi yung four guy namin import na namin,” said Castro. “Yun lang gusto ni coach at ng staff na ipakita namin na lumalaban kami kahit wala bigs namin, kahit kulang kulang basta lumalaban.”
And fight they did as Castro led Talk N’ Text to an 11-0 close out of the Elasto Painters, holding them down scoreless in the last 6:18 of the game.
Castro who sunk the game-winning triple at the 52-second mark and blocked Paul Lee for a potential game-tying three with 32 seconds remaining in the game.