TNT’s Jayson Castro may have slowed down with age, but “The Blur” is still one of the sharpest playmakers in the clutch. —MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
On a night when a rookie tried to make his mark, TNT’s battle-hardened veteran Jayson Castro turned in one of the most unforgettable performances of his career.
The 38-year-old playmaker, steering the only team he has ever played for in his 16-year career, willed the franchise to a second straight PBA Governors’ Cup title.
“I think it’s all my experience showing. I may no longer be the high-scoring type but I try to contribute through my leadership. And I think that’s what people saw in me in this series,” he told the Inquirer on his way back to the team’s dugout following hours of celebrating with family and fans.
Castro delivered 13 points in the title-clinching Game 6 over fancied Barangay Ginebra at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
It was a decent output until backdropped by a series-high 31 points by No. 3 pick RJ Abarrientos, who as early as Game 1 penciled Castro as the standard he needed to match in the Finals.
And in laying waste to the young Ginebra stud’s career performance, Castro notched a few milestones, too.
Now 38, far removed from the dizzying moves that earned him the moniker “The Blur,” Castro became the oldest Finals MVP and won the plum by himself for the first time ever after sharing the first two with Jimmy Alapag.
Castro’s teammates and coaches celebrated him as he accepted the award which put him alongside three-time winners Danny Ildefonso and Eric Menk and a shade behind league leaders June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, James Yap and Danny Siegle.
“Vintage Jayson. I call him the resident import of TNT,” PBA great Jojo Lastimosa, who now serves as the Tropang Giga’s team manager, said in a separate chat.
“[Doing all that] even at the age of 38?” the 10-time champion and former Alaska superstar added. “I couldn’t play that quick when I was 38. I wish I could. I love him. He’s one of a kind and people forget how good Jayson is. Now they see he still has got it.”
Lastimosa pointed to Castro’s steal on Abarrientos at the 3:29 mark of the final period as the most critical moment of the triumph, adding that the play paved the way for import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s personal barrage and TNT’s pull away that assured the coronation.
“Jayson showed [younger guards] that if you want to win, you still got to get through him,” Lastimosa said with a smile.
As the revelries died down, Castro made it clear that his drive has not: “I think I can still compete.”
And along with the reeking smell of the celebratory alcohol, Castro’s future intentions cut through the room.
“I love this team. I want to win another [title],” Castro said, deadpan.