In the first three games of TNT Katropa’s semis clash with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Jayson Castro was the main target of the Gin Kings’ defense, which only allowed him to put up norms of just 7.7 points and 5.7 dimes.
“Kung mapapansin niyo sa series, for three games ko, yun nga, sobrang tight ng defense nila. Defensively, meron sila [pantapat] sa’kin,” rued the 30-year-old point guard.
But Game Four was totally a different story. Castro was unleashed, and that beastly version of The Blur did all the wonders for TNT as they toppled the Barangay, 120-109, to advance to the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Asia’s best point guard unloaded his third career-best 38 markers on an excellent 62 percent shooting, highlighted by five treys, two in the payoff period. He also had 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals.
And for the Angeles City-native, his outburst in the series-clinching bout was the product of his aggressiveness.
“Going into Game Four, parang yung mindset ko is to be aggressive na lang,” said Castro. “Alam kong nagii-struggle ako sa shot ko, so parang sinabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘this is a do-or-die game — kapag umabot pa ng Game Five, parang lalo kaming madadown.’ So we need to win.
“Kailangan kong maging aggressive and maging example din for the young guys.”
Castro, safe to say, saved his best for last. The Katropa will now face the San Miguel Beermen in the title match, their sixth Finals appearance in the mid-season joust, and their 17th Finals appearance overall.
Asked if he can sustain his rhythm come the championship match, the six-time champion iterated that it will not be solely around him and individual face-offs, that it will be a head-to-head match-up of two squads.
“Against San Miguel, hindi naman kami parang Jayson Castro versus Chris Ross. Yung mentality namin sa TNT is more on team talaga eh. Yun nga yung laging inaano ni coach Nash — once we play as a team, maraming nangyayari,” he said.
“Kasi alam naman natin, San Miguel is a tough team.”
