Castro maps out key plays for Gilas in win over Japan
Jayson Castro William. Photo from Fiba.com
It’s often been said that the point guard is the extension of the coach on the court.
But on Friday, Jayson Castro William took things to the next level as he mapped out a play on coach Chot Reyes’ whiteboard during Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ duel against Japan.
With Matthew Wright shooting freebies midway through the fourth quarter, the star guard drew up a play as Reyes willingly allowed him to devise the team’s next attack.
“That’s the kind of relationship that we have. He teaches me on what to do and it’s my job to follow him,” Reyes said in jest.
The act was also a glimpse of how deep Castro and Reyes’ bond is dating back to when both of them shared a player-coach relationship at Talk ‘N Text.
“[Japan’s] defense was so effective. So since coach Chot already handled me before, I just drew our old play. I realized that it would be effective for us because (Japan) denies our shooters,” the 31-year-old slasher said.
Though Castro did not go into the specifics, his play worked as he partially played as a decoy to rattle the Japan’s defenders that led to an Andray Blatche triple and an open June Mar Fajardo undergoal stab in the ensuing plays for a 10-point Gilas lead, 80-70, with 3:43 to play.
He then took over in the closing minutes, scoring five of Gilas’ last seven points as the Filipinos started their campaign in the Asian qualifiers of the 2019 Fiba World Cup with a 77-71 win over Japan.
Castro was magnificent on the floor all game long, racking up a team-best 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in the victory.
But Reyes made it clear that any player who feels like speaking out can voice his thoughts and even take his whiteboard, as long as it’s for the benefit of the team.
“Every player has that right to tell the coaches on what they are seeing on the floor. Japan had a very effective zone defense against us and I think Jayson’s play was a big adjustment for us,” he said.
