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Jayson Castro only had one field goal but it was the biggest basket on Sunday night.
Castro was 0-of-9 before swishing the game-clinching triple with 12.2 seconds left in TNT’s 100-94 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals series in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“I actually didn’t want him to shoot the last shot, but Jayson will be Jayson,” said his head coach Nash Racela. “He was really born for those moments.”
The 30-year-old Castro has hit countless of big shots throughout his career and his latest serves only reminded everyone of his status as one of the country’s best players today.
Castro finished with just four points but had six assists and was a plus-13 despite his offensive struggles.
The national team mainstay said he’s concentrated on his duties as a playmaker unlike before when he’s used to score a lot for TNT to win.
“The defense was focused on me and this conference, I’ve always said that I beed to be a facilitator and involve all my teammates so the defense won’t be just focused on me,” he said.
“Also, the good thing is that we gave a big man like Josh (Smith) who can dominate the paint and when he’s being double-teamed, he can also see his wide open teammates.”
Racela, however, expects Castro to flash his lethal offense in Game 2.
“Actually, that’s good today,” Racela said when asked about Castro’s struggles. “Because next game he’s going to explode.”