Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

First Finals experience will only help TNT’s young core, believes Castro


Entering the Commissioner’s Cup Finals, the TNT Katropa were a team that featured eight players making their Finals debuts. In contrast, almost every San Miguel Beerman had experienced how it is to be in the last dance.

The gap between the two protagonists was magnified in the Finals as the Beermen were never rattled, remaining impassive through wins or losses. On the other hand, the Katropa were not, losing composure when San Miguel made huge rallies that marked their doom in Game Six last Sunday.

Despite another exit, TNT skipper Jayson Castro was proud of what the Katropa had accomplished all throughout the conference that saw them survive a three-game series against the Meralco Bolts in the quarterfinals and slay the top-seeded Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the semis.

“This conference yung performance naman namin happy ako kasi, yun nga, especially sa mga young guys like sila [RR] Pogoy and Troy [Rosario],” the nine-year league veteran shared.

“Sinasabi ko sa kanila maging confident lang. Even na natalo kami, happy ako para sa kanila dahil yung experience na makarating ng Finals, makapaglaro sila, malaking bagay para sa amin for the next conference.”

Being the team’s leader, Castro admitted that he too had a hand in their silver finish, saying that he and Ranidel de Ocampo could have been more vocal as the team’s veterans.2017-PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Finals-Game-5-San-Miguel-def-TNT-Katropa First Finals experience will only help TNT's young core, believes Castro Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“Sa amin pinag-usapan lang namin na we need to be more vocal pa para i-guide sila kasi may time na kahit kami parang nawawala din eh,” admitted Castro, who averaged 14.5 points, 5.16 rebounds, and 5.33 assists in the Finals. “As one of the veterans, kailangan ko talaga i-guide yung mga bata. Kasi may mga miscommunication, mga mistakes na madaling i-correct pero di namin na cocorrect.

“Yun nga, learning process.”

But with their young team having already experienced the pressure of being in the Finals, it will only lead to good things for the transitioning franchise.2017-PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Game-6-San-Miguel-def-TNT-Katropa-second-place First Finals experience will only help TNT's young core, believes Castro Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

#ReadMore  Amer starts to become vocal for Meralco

“Yung dating core, lime na lang ata kami na natira,” Castro said referring to De Ocampo, Harvey Carey, Ryan Reyes, and Kelly Williams. “Yung experience ng mga young guys maganda para sa amin kasi yung mix ng veteran atsaka young guys, gusto naman ni coach [Nash Racela] at nung management.

“Sana matuto kami sa series na ito.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – San Miguel got lucky in the end against TNT, 91-89, in a clash of PBA Philippine Cup contenders, Sunday night at the...

Basketball

TNT cut short Terrafirma’s unbeaten streak, 100-97, for its second win of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum....

Basketball

Blackwater earned a huge 87-76 upset against TNT to take the early lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Experience proved to be the difference as TNT came from behind to beat Rain or Shine, 108-107, for a victorious start to...

Basketball

Christian Standhardinger was selected first overall once more in the PBA All-Star Game Draft on Monday night at the TV5 Media Center in Pasig....

Basketball

Mark Barroca and Japeth Aguilar will be headlining the 2024 PBA All-Star. The decorated veterans topped the fan voting and will therefore serve as...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Jayson Castro said that he’s all fine after a quad issue led to his premature exit in TNT’s eventual loss to San...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – San Miguel pulled off big plays on both ends to hack out a thrilling 98-93 come-from-behind victory over TNT for its second...

Advertisement