Even Jayson Castro could not believe how long it has been since the last time TNT set foot on the semifinal stage.
The Texters’ main man was shocked upon hearing that his team last reached the semis in the 2017 Governors’ Cup, when the flagship MVP franchise was reinforced by Glen Rice, Jr.
“Wow! Ganoon na katagal,” said Castro, himself a TNT lifer since he started his career back in 2008.
Thankfully, the agony of failing to advance past the quarterfinals is over. The KaTropa booted out the Alaska Aces, 104-93, to return to the semis after a long, long while.
But aside from the semis-clinching victory, Castro is more satisfied with his team’s ability to bounce back following a humiliating defeat. Four nights ago, Alaska ran them over by a whopping 36 points to blow the KaTropa’s win-once incentive.
For Castro and the rest, it was difficult to fathom since they were the top-seeded team this conference. Furthermore, they had only lost once in 11 games in the eliminations.
“Number one ka, and then tatambakan ka ng thirty-plus points? That game is sobrang nakakahiya talaga. Even ako as a veteran, sinasabi ko sa teammates ko, ‘Okay lang matalo, ‘wag lang ganoon.’
“Sa twice-to-beat advantage namin, may chance pa kami magpakita. Buti na lang naka-recover kami,” he expressed.
Now that they have re-entered the semis, Castro isn’t shy about the KaTropa’s ambition to make the finals. TNT last reached the Big Dance in the 2017 edition of the same conference.
“Hopefully, umabot din ng finals kasi yun yung main goal namin this conference,” said the six-time PBA champion.
Still, Castro knows that it will be easier said than done. Waiting for them in the best-of-five semis are defending champs Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, who are coming off a sweep of Magnolia.
“Kaso versus Ginebra, alam naman natin na sila yung defending champion. Tapos yung mga past season nila, sila yung nagcha-champion,” he said.
“Hopefully, makatawid din sa kanila.”
