TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro. PBA IMAGES
Jayson Castro knew he had to show up for TNT to seal its return in the semifinals after missing it the last three conferences.
Castro didn’t leave anything to chance with another spellbinding performance in the quarterfinals against Phoenix Saturday night.
The 30-year-old Castro was at his best as he came just a couple points shy from matching his career-high with 42 points to lead the KaTropa.
The former national team mainstay, however, downplayed his brilliance as he reiterated that his focus is locked in on bringing the championship back to TNT.
“Gusto ko lang maging aggressive para makita ng teammates ko kasi opportunity na sa amin to para makabalik kami ng semis,” said Castro. “Yun yung nafefeel ko, na kailangan ko magpakita sa teammates ko especially sa offense kasi yung defense nung Phoenix uma-under sila sa screen so mga wide open naman mga shots ko.”
Castro played only 27 minutes and had he logged more time on the floor, he would’ve likely surpassed his career-best.
But with TNT blowing Phoenix out and the game already decided early in the fourth quarter, 121-100, it was best to keep Castro on the bench.
TNT head coach Jong Uichico thinks Castro won’t mind coming so close to surpassing his scoring mark and not being able to eclipse it even if he had been aware of the situation.
“Jayson is not too concerned about his personal statistic whether he scores or not basta manalo ang team masaya siya,” Uichico told reporters after the KaTropa’s 136-124 win. “Focus niya is to win today’s game and move on to the next round.”
TNT faces Meralco next in a best-of-five semifinals beginning on Tuesday.
Castro hopes TNT’s winning ways will continue.
“Lahat naman ng game trinitreat na talagang game. Maganda lang talaga yung [chemistry] ng team namin this conference, sana magtuloy tuloy hanggang finals.”
He also can’t wait to matchup against a mentor and former longtime teammate in Jimmy Alapag.
Alapag and Castro spent eight seasons together and shared six championships with TNT.
“Sobrang excited ako, isa siya sa mga nag-push sa akin bakit ganito yung nilalaro ko tsaka yung mga advice niya sa akin, hanggang ngayon, close naman kami ni Jimmy. Happy ako na makalaban sina Jimmy, at least isa sa amin makapuntang finals.”