Jayson Castro on alleged missed travel call: ‘That’s referees’ job’

Jayson Castro. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—TNT’s overtime win against Magnolia wouldn’t have happened if not for the quick thinking of Jayson Castro at the end of regulation.

With defenders swarming him at the top of the key, Castro had the wherewithal to hold his jump and instead pass to the open Troy Rosario in the pain that tied the game at 72 apiece with 1.8 seconds left in regulation.

Castro, though, may have gotten away with just a little more than a quick inside pass as video replays showed he lifted his pivot foot when he made the pass to Rosario which should’ve been a travel call, but no whistles were blown and the KaTropa went on to claim an 80-75 win over the Hotshots in the PBA Philippine Cup.

As for the alleged travel, Castro said it’s not his responsibility to count anyone’s steps.

“That’s not my job anymore, that’s the referees’ job,” said Castro in Filipino Sunday at Mall of Asia Arena.

Castro’s wits and Roger Pogoy’s overtime heroics saw the KaTropa get to a 3-3 record and take sole possession of the fourth seed, something that the team would hold dear ahead of their three-week break.

“This is a big win for us, and at least before we go on a break we got this confidence-booster of a win,” said Castro who finished with 24 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

Pogoy was able to rescue TNT in the overtime period hitting two clutch baskets that gave his team a 79-74 lead with 29.9 seconds to play.

The timely baskets the third-year guard didn’t go unnoticed with Castro showing praise to his younger teammate.

“I kept telling him that this is his time to shine finally,” said the 32-year-old Castro of Pogoy who’s six years his junior. “There were times before that he’d be scared to take the ball, but in the dying seconds of the game I told him to take the shot.”

“He made it and he was able to read the defense.”