Jayson Castro upbeat despite TNT loss to Ginebra in opener

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BULACAN, Philippines—TNT may have absorbed a disappointing 90-79 season-opening loss to Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Philippine Cup, but Jayson Castro sees positive things for his team.

Castro said they’ve got the system that’s perfectly suited for the players and it was just a matter of knocking down shots.

The KaTropa employed lineups that featured just one legitimate big with three wingmen and one point guard surrounding him—a gamble considering the Gin Kings have 7-foot Greg Slaughter and 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar.

“If you can see we are effective with a small lineup because the ball was moving and we were getting open shots to Don (Trollano), Mike (Miranda), and our small guys,” said Castro in Filipino Sunday at Philippine Arena.

“The only thing was the shots weren’t falling, but those were the shots we want.”

Despite having a smaller lineup, the KaTropa were able to have a 50-50 rebounding matchup with the Gin Kings and even had more offensive boards, 21-12.

TNT’s main problem in the game, however, was its stroke from the three-point area wherein it converted just nine of its 41 attempts for a 22 percent shooting clip.

“We’re more confident with those kinds of plays and we don’t have big guys so that’s our advantage,” said Castro. “We will live and die by the three.”

Castro was one of team’s top performers with 17 points, 10 assists, and two steals.