No Castro, no problem for TNT
‘It’s a huge thing that we lost Kuya Jayson. We dedicate our remaining games to him.’
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‘It’s a huge thing that we lost Kuya Jayson. We dedicate our remaining games to him.’
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Veteran guard and team leader Jayson Castro left a gaping hole in TNT Tropang Giga’s rotation after he went down with a season-ending right knee injury.
It took a collective effort from the rest of the Tropang Giga to pick up the pieces from a Game 3 setback and close in on a finals seat in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup.
TNT filled the void by displaying great teamwork from both ends of the floor in a 93-85 victory over Rain or Shine on Wednesday night for a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
With import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson playing the point and deferring offense to the locals, Gilas member Calvin Oftana, streaky scoring guard RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac stepped up to deliver the goods in the Tropang Giga’s bounce-back win.
“It’s a huge thing that we lost Kuya Jayson. We dedicate our remaining games to him,” said Oftana, who finished with a team-high 26 points.
“Kuya Jayson is a big factor for us but not just one person would fill the shoes Kuya Jayson left, it should be us as a team.”
TNT came out with better energy, was more aggressive and more mentally collected compared to its Game 3 meltdown marred by a shouting match between big man Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin.
“Coach (Chot Reyes) wrote on the board (before the game) our mission to be better in all aspects. (Be) better screeners, have better energy,” Oftana said.
“What we showed on the court was proof that we can actually play like that. We just lacked effort in the past three games, I think. Right now, everybody can see everyone’s effort.”
Castro sustained a full thickness patellar tendon tear in TNT’s Game 2 escape last week. Without his guidance inside the court, the Tropang Giga collapsed and allowed the Elasto Painters to take Game 3 last Sunday.
TNT quickly regrouped to get back on the winning track and inch closer to a second straight championship appearance this season after ruling the Governors’ Cup.
Castro is currently recovering from surgery on his knee done last Sunday.
“The surgery is done already. He’s just now going through the long process of recovery and rehab. It’s going to take at least a year. So, we’ll see Jayson next year,” Reyes said.
The Tropang Giga had Castro’s No. 17 attached to their game jerseys.
“I think his number on our jersey is statement enough,” Reyes added.
