Jayson Castro did not mince his words regarding the TNT Katropa’s lack of consistency this conference in the wake of their 78-93 loss to LA Tenorio and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel — their second straight defeat — Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Katropa’s chances of making the playoffs, after Sunday’s setback, are suddenly foggy. They now sport a 4-5 slate, and slid down to nearly the bottom of the team standings, at eighth.
“Consistency? Wala kaming ganun e,” lamented Castro, who had 17 markers in the loss.
“Maganda, pangit, maganda, pangit.
“Siguro at the same time, yung effort na within one game kasi bigla na lang mawawala tapos nandoon,” Asia’s best point guard admitted.
This is clearly an unfamiliar situation for the Texters. For the past decade, they have enjoyed belonging in the upper echelon of the rankings. But now, they look as if they have become a mediocre squad.
“Hindi kami sanay nang ganito,” admitted the 10-year pro. “Siguro, yun nga, we need to find ways para makabalik sa winning column kasi two straight losses, napakabigat na sa amin, especially dikit-dikit yung standings.”
And that is why the Katropa, according to Castro, are approaching their Valentine’s Day bout against a heavily-improved GlobalPort Batang Pier as a do-or-die affair, as their playoff aspirations are hanging in the balance.
“Talagang do-or-die game sa amin yun, hindi na kami pwedeng matalo,” expressed the six-time champion. “Hindi na X’s and O’s na puro gameplan, kailangan namin ipakita yung effort na hangga’t matapos yung game nandoon kami.
“Kasi palaging pagdating ng fourth quarter, five minutes, three minutes doon kami nawawala e. Siguro doon lalabas yung pagiging beterano namin, like ako, Harvey [Carey], kung paano namin dapat ihandle yung situation na yun, at the same time kung paano namin iaano sa mga young guys.”
