TNT ‘outhustled’ in only 2nd loss this conference, says Castro

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Benched for the entire fourth quarter, Jayson Castro explained that TNT opted to save his energy for Game 3 with Meralco already firing on all cylinders.

“Up by 20 na sila. Maganda ang laro ng Meralco eh. Coaches’ decision yun para na lang din mas fresh ako sa third game,” he said after TNT’s 106-91 Game 2 loss to Meralco.

Despite only playing three quarters, the frontrunner for the Best Player of the Conference still nabbed 24 points and four assists.

Castro said that the team just seemed out of sync for the whole contest, allowing the Bolts to capitalize on the rebounding (47-41) and second chance points (20-13).

“Yung energy at 50-50 balls, nasa kanila. Na-outhustle at na-outrebound nila kami,” he said.

The loss was just TNT’s second defeat this season-ending conference, and Castro believes that it’s just the wake up call the team needs to get its head straight.

“Baka yung mga players, naging kuntento na. Siguro wake up call sa amin yun para pagdating ng Game 3, ready kami,” he said. “Lahat naman kami positive kasi kailangan din namin matalo para malaman namin ang weakness namin. Lahat naman positive pa rin.”

“Sa series, it’s a game of adjustments. Maga-adjust na lang kami sa Game 3.”

Game 3 is on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.