The TNT Katropa nabbed the fourth and final spot of the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Friday night. But it wasn’t a walk in the park, as the Meralco Bolts gallantly stood in their way.
“Sobrang ganda nung game eh. Even kung matalo kami nung game na yun, para sa akin satisfied pa rin ako kasi both teams sobrang ayaw magpatalo eh,” said TNT star guard Jayson Castro after their 104-96 win in overtime.
“Fortunately, nakuha namin yung panalo.”
The Katropa may have sighed in relief after catching the last trip to the semis, but another daunting challenge looms ahead of them — on deck are the top-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
But the 30-year-old is confident heading into the series, as he believes that his side can match up well with the Barangay, vis-a-vis.
“May match-up kami,” shared the four-time Best Player of the Conference. “Tsaka playing Ginebra naman, nakakatuwa kasi yung mga fans nila. At the same time, versus Japeth [Aguilar], LA [Tenorio], yung mga kasama ko sa Gilas.
“Sana maging magandang series.”
Still, the seven-time champion fully expects that the Barangay and multi-titled coach Tim Cone will throw whatever they can to try to slow them down in each and every match.
“For sure, marami silang scheme na gagawin. Alam naman natin si coach Tim, maraming mga tinatagong mga magagaling na defense yun, so for sure, marami siyang ibabato sa amin,” the Bacolor, Pampanga native declared.
