Jayson Castro is optimistic about his return to action for TNT in the next conference of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

In fact, he joined the Tropang 5G’s shootaround in Game 1 of the Season 50 Philippine Cup finals against San Miguel Beer last Wednesday at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.

The veteran guard, a 10-time PBA champion, has shown positive signs of recovery from a knee injury he sustained in February last year.

Castro is looking for a comeback in the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, the last tournament he suited up for before sustaining a patellar tendon tear in Game 2 of the semifinals against Rain or Shine.

Despite losing the Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals Most Valuable Player, TNT went on to win the crown. However, he was sorely missed by the Tropang 5G in the season-ending all-Filipino Conference as the Beermen spoiled TNT’s grand slam bid in six games in the title showdown.

“Our target (for my return) is the next conference, in the elimination. Hopefully (it happens) so that I could at least contribute to the team,” the 39-year-old Castro said after TNT’s 96-91 win to draw first blood in the best-of-seven championship series rematch.

Castro said that he’s recovering ahead of the initial estimated timetable.

“I’m recovering really well,” he said, 10 months since going under the knife to repair his serious injury.

“I think it’s 10 months already. Our target is at least a year. But now I’m able to do the activities I’m supposed to begin next month and the month after.”

The 10-time PBA champion added he’s excited to get back on the floor after a long layoff.

“I’m excited to play once again. It’s been a long while,” he said.

But right now, all he can do is a few shootarounds and an extra voice on the bench.

“I just want to get a feel of the game and at the same time support my teammates during warmup and pre-game shooting,” Castro said.

TNT is shooting for a 2-0 series lead at the same Antipolo venue as of press time.