When the TNT Katropa will look back at the 2017-2018 Philippine Cup, they’ll be shaking their heads in disbelief.
The Katropa finished that particular All-Filipino tournament with a 5-6 win-loss record. They still made it into the quarterfinals, but they finished in a position nobody ever wants: with a twice-to-beat disadvantage against the defending champions.
TNT bowed to eventual four-time Philippine Cup kings San Miguel Beermen.
And so Jayson Castro breathed a huge sigh of relief on Saturday. After that disappointing finish in the first conference, Castro and TNT will enter the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup quarters as the third seed.
The Texters – the champions of the 2015 mid-season joust – accomplished this after they dismantled hefty reinforcement Reggie Johnson and the top-ranked Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 100-85, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Unlike before sobrang… Nananalangin pa kami na manalo yung mga ibang teams,” shared the 10-year pro. “Parang twice-to-beat yung kalaban namin.
“This time number three kami, which is ‘yun naman ‘yung gusto namin, nasa Top Four kami.”
The Texters are now heading into a best-of-three series in the quarters. But there lies another challenge ahead, as their opponent in that series will be among the Beermen, the Magnolia Hotshots, or the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
It may be daunting, but for Castro, he and TNT should not be worried even if they will face one of their rivals.
“Kung sinong makalaban namin okay lang naman, pare-parehong top team naman sa PBA ‘yun eh,” said the 32-year-old floor general, who sat out Saturday’s game to rest for the playoffs.
“At least best-of-three, may chance kaming makabawi just in case.”
