Jayson Castro could be out for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes does not think that the ‘Blur’ can still return to the mid-season conference after reinjuring the same ankle he hurt during the 2022 Philippine Cup Finals last September.
“I don’t think he can be back for the conference,” lamented the outspoken bench tactician moments after the Tropang Giga’s 140-108 defeat to Bay Area, Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The 36-year-old did not see action versus the Dragons, helplessly watching from the bleachers as he remained unfit to play after getting hurt during their rivalry affair against Barangay Ginebra just last Sunday.
He suffered the injury during the third quarter of that match. The veteran playmaker would never check back in, witnessing his side come up short in completing their comeback from 17 points down, 89-85.
Castro would’ve surely provided a big boost against the guest team but the Tropa refuses to force the issue with the 14-year pro, who’s averaging 9.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.3 steals in eight games.
“Severe sprain. Mahirap pilitin. Remember galing na siya sa sprain, sa Finals,” said Reyes as his long-time floor general rolled his ankle during Game Five of the all-Filipino title bout, where they eventually lost to San Miguel.
With this, Castro could no longer see action in TNT’s last match of the elimination round against the Beermen this Saturday — a match extremely crucial to the club’s playoff hopes as it fell to 4-7 after losing to Bay Area.
Reyes can’t help but reflect on their struggles after another tough blow.
“Story of our conference, ‘di ba? We couldn’t start healthy, we had so many injuries. Hindi kami mabuo until finally people were getting healthy, meron naman with Mikey ‘yung suspension. And then Gilas … daming factors.”
