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.
“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.
“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.”
