Jayson Castro will do anything to win the Philippine Cup once more
For the early parts of the decade, the Philippine Cup has been the pride and joy of the TNT franchise, being the first team to take home the annual trophy after winning the crown from 2011 to 2013.
However, the Katropa have failed in their attempts to regain the All-Filipino crown the last three years.
Entering the conference, TNT relieved Jong Uichico as head coach and tapped UAAP champion coach Nash Racela. Though Racela had been part of the team’s staff the past few years, his system differs from his predecessor.
During last season’s Philippine Cup, Asia’s best point guard played 31.1 minutes per outing, averaging 20.2 points on 16.3 shots and 5.1 assists. Under Racela, Castro is posting norms of 17.14 points on 13.29 attempts and dishing out 5.28 assists on 28.35 assists.
After absorbing a crushing 88-77 defeat to the Star Hotshots last Sunday, in which Castro played a season-high 37 minutes, it was evident that the TNT Katropa needed to fully embrace the system.
“Okay naman kasi naka-adjust na kami at minove namin yung bola. Dahil dun nakakuha kami ng open looks,” Castro said after TNT returned to the win column at the expense of Mahindra, 104-92.
Compared to their last game, TNT dished out 20 assists (14 vs. Star) that resulted in better shot selection, shooting 44 percent from the field (40 percent vs. Star). Castro had just 10 points in the contest but was able to dish out four assists and a number of “hockey assists” as well.
“Yun yung adjustment ko. Alam naman natin pag nagdri-drive ako magco-collapse yung defense,” the four-time Best Player of the Conference said.
“Ngayon, hinihintay ko na lang kung ano ibibigay ng defense bago ako mag-counter. And then, more ini-involve ko yung mga teammates ko.”
And for him, absorbing Racela’s philosophy and system might be the solution the team needs to win the coveted Philippine Cup.
“Sana [ma-sustain pa] kasi yun yung isang challenge sa amin ni coach. Once na umiikot yung bola, gumaganda laro namin. Kailangan maging team talaga kami,” the six-time PBA champion shared.
“Okay naman. Kami naman, ni-recall lang namin nung nag-chachampion kami.
“Yung minutes namin ngayon binababaan para equal opportunity sa lahat. Wala namang problema sa amin yun. Yung goal namin is as a team talaga,” he declared.
