Jayson Castro began dreaming about winning a PBA championship at Don Honorio Ventura State University ever since the league resumed its 2021 Honda Philippine Cup competitions in his high school alma mater.
That turned into reality on Friday night, when he and TNT masterfully conquered Magnolia in the Finals’ Game Five. But the 35-year-old still could not fathom that his ambition materialized right before his very eyes.
“Talagang hindi ko ma-imagine na dito ko ulit makukuha ‘yung championship,” said a beaming Castro moments after the trophy presentation.
The five-time BPC looked visibly filled with much joy. Nobody could blame him, really, since he waited six long years to get to this point again.
And he definitely showed how much he wanted to become a champion once more. In the 94-79 win, the 14-year veteran contributed 10 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block in 24 minutes off the bench.
Castro now has a total of seven championships to his name. And the latest, according to the two-time Finals MVP, is a special one. After all, he earned it in the very same place where he began his basketball aspirations.
“Sobrang special sa’kin ‘to. Siguro isa ‘to sa mga championship na hindi ko makakalimutan talaga,” expressed the proud son of Bacolor.
“It’s a motivation din sa akin ‘yun, na sana makapag-champion ako dito.”
He also dedicated the victory to the people of DHVSU, and to its students who are also dreaming big – as he did nearly two decades ago.
“Para rin sa mga namamahala rito sa DHVSU, para sa kanila ‘to. Tsaka sa lahat ng mga estudyante rito na nangangarap.
“Sobrang maraming, maraming salamat talaga sa kanila, sa support nila,” said the former Gilas vanguard.
Now, Castro can’t wait to celebrate this triumph with his wife and children once he and the Tropang Giga go back home.
“Last championship ko, wala pa ‘kong anak. ngayon, tatlo na. Ganun katagal,” he said.
“Pero sulit naman. Sana masundan pa ulit yung championship na ‘to.”
