Castro stays with TNT

TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro. PBA IMAGES

Jason Castro yesterday agreed to a three-year, maximum contract extension with TNT KaTropa, ending months of speculations on whether he was staying in the PBA or taking his act to the tougher and more lucrative China Basketball Association.

The new deal with the 6-foot point guard, Best Player of the Governors’ Cup in the last PBA season, guaranteed that new coach Nash Racela will have his franchise player for the Philippine Cup opening on Nov. 20.

Castro initially held back in signing a new deal with the only PBA team he has been with because of an offer to play as an import in the CBA, which the Inquirer first broke two months ago.

TNT will pay Castro more than P15 million, excluding bonuses and other perks.

Agent Danny Espiritu said Castro gave the offer a serious thought but deemed it best to stay in the country.