Jayson Castro felt all sorts of feelings the very moment he learned that the PBA will resume its 2021 Honda Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) in his hometown of Bacolor, Pampanga.
That’s a place that the 35-year-old holds dear in his heart. Before becoming the star that he is today, Castro studied high school at the DHVSU, then known as the Don Honorio Ventura College of Arts and Trades (DHVCAT).
“Excitement na first time ko atang kabahan kasi ‘yun nga, dito ako namulat sa basketball eh,” said the decorated cager, twice named Asia’s best point guard thanks to his dazzling performances for Gilas Pilipinas.
“Dito ako nangarap. Nung sinabing dito ginawa, dito gagawin ‘yung PBA, sobrang ‘yun nga, parang nakaka-proud,” he added.
After weeks of waiting, Castro finally set foot at his alma mater as TNT opened the conference’s return versus Blackwater, Wednesday.
And he couldn’t help but marvel with how the school has evolved, from his time there to now that it is hosting Asia’s pioneering pro league.
“Before hindi siya ganito, cement lang siya,” recalled Castro, who was part of both the basketball and track and field varsity teams of DHVCAT.
“And then, ‘yun nga, in-improve siya. Gumanda yung school.”
As he returned to the place he once called home, the memories of his time there suddenly dawned on the 13-year league veteran.
“Nung time ko, ako lang ‘yung mag-isang high school na varsity na kasama sa college,” he remembered.
“And that time, ‘yun nga, ‘yun ding mga teammate ko tsaka sports director, sobrang supportive sila sa’kin.”
Castro then made sure that it would be a homecoming to remember, helping the Tropang Giga to a dominant 96-76 conquest of the Bossing to collect their fourth win in as many games in all-Filipino wars.
He finished with 11 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal as the Texters gained a share of the leadership of the standings with Magnolia.
For the six-time champion, never had he imagined that he will, one day, return to Don Honorio and play in the same gym he had his humble beginnings.
“Hindi ko ma-imagine na makakapaglaro ako ulit sa gym na ‘to,” he said, “kasi almost 18 years, nag-graduate ako ng high school dito. Naglaro ako ng varsity dito.
“So sobrang thankful ako sa PBA na dinala dito ‘yung games.”
