Jayson Castro assured that there is nothing to worry about despite appearing shaken up late in the TNT KaTropa’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal meeting with the Magnolia Hotshots, Monday night.
The veteran floor general remained on the floor while clutching his left knee after landing awkwardly off a lay-up — which he missed — with 1:53 remaining on the game clock.
It was a scary sight to see, especially for the KaTropa. Castro has just returned from weeks of absence due to a soleus muscle strain in his right leg from back in October.
“Ah yes, pero buti ‘yung left side, hindi ‘yung right side,” said the 33-year-old cager.
“Okay naman.”
Castro even returned to the match shortly after, and helped the KaTropa churn out the 98-97 victory, which they pulled off after facing a 10-point deficit with four minutes left to play.
“Na-test ‘yung character namin this game,” said Castro, who finished with 30 points. “Nire-remind lang kami ng coaches, even matalo tayo, as long as lumalaban, just keep playing.
“‘Yun din nasa mind ko. Kung matalo man, para next game madala ‘yung momentum, hindi ‘yung bad loss talaga. Sakto, buti nanalo pa,” addedthe six-time PBA champion.
TNT now heads into the semifinals after ousting Magnolia from its throne. It faces the Meralco Bolts — whom it beat in the eliminations, 116-113, after a 19-point deficit — in a best-of-five affair.
For Castro, he expects a tough series from their sister team, who entered the quarters as the number two team.
“Against Meralco, siguro magiging magandang series. Alam naman natin import nila and si coach Norman (Black), maraming bala para sa ‘min. Kailangan namin mag-ready.”
