Castro placed on free agent list

TNT Tropang 5G has placed injured veteran guard Jayson Castro on the unrestricted free agent list with rights to receive salary list, but he won’t be available to other teams.

The 38-year-old Castro is scratched off from the active roster in an arranged set-up with the Tropang 5G management Tuesday, as he continues to recuperate from a knee injury that abruptly ended his campaign in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 49.

Castro, who was the 2008 Draft third overall pick and helped his team win 10 championships, underwent surgery following a ruptured patellar tendon on his right knee that he sustained during TNT’s semifinals series against Rain or Shine in the Commissioner’s Cup.

The Tropang 5G eventually won the title at the expense of Barangay Ginebra.

The five-time Best Player of the Conference will be out for at least 10 months or up to a year, missing the ongoing Philippine Cup and possibly the next one or two conferences of Season 50.

TNT’s move was necessary to free up a spot to activate Ping Exciminiano, who will replace another injured guard in Rey Nambatac.

Nambatac will be out for four to six weeks due to a groin injury he suffered in the Tropang 5G’s 101-84 win over defending champion Meralco last 11 May.

Exciminiano is eligible to see action for TNT in its game against Rain or Shine, which is being played as of press time.

Castro, who recently signed a contract extension until 2027, being relegated to the unrestricted free agent list is similar to Barangay Ginebra’s arrangement with LA Tenorio.

The grizzled court general took a leave of absence to fulfill his duty as head coach of Gilas Pilipinas Youth, which will compete in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers from 24 to 30 May in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Young winger Jason David took Tenorio’s spot in the Ginebra roster.