Jayson Castro doesn’t mind if Jeremy Tyler isn’t able to provide much on offense, asserting confidently that the TNT Katropa’s locals have more than enough to provide on that side of the floor.
This comes after a gastroenteritis-struck Tyler finished with just two points and 15 rebounds in the Texters’ 96-92 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Sunday, for their third straight win.
“In terms of offense naman, hindi naman kami naghahanap [sa kanya] ng ganon (scoring) kasi we have a lot of guys naman na kaya umiscore,” expressed Castro.
“So okay lang sa’min yun.”
The locals truly stepped up big time in the victory. Castro was the high-point man with 27 points, and shooting guards Roger Pogoy and Don Trollano had 15 and 11 points, respectively.
Even forward Troy Rosario had a hand in the triumph that gave them a share of top spot with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, as he dropped 14 points, seven rebounds, and two assists.
For Castro, the former NBA cager’s two-point showing shouldn’t be used against him. The 10-year league veteran said that Tyler still remains an asset to the Katropa, especially on defense.
“Yung leadership niya sa defense, siya yung pinaka-anchor namin doon every time na nandoon siya. Nafi-feel namin yung defense namin maganda, kasi lahat sinasabihan niya,” Castro said.
Regardless, TNT are now off to a good start in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup. And for Castro, this is all a result of what they have learned from last conference, where they nearly got kicked out early.
“Last conference parang relaxed kami… Parang kaya namin i-turn on na lang ng bigla, pero yun nga, ‘di namin nagawa yun so parang lesson sa’min yun,” reflected the decorated point guard.
“Parang isang lesson din dito sa PBA na every game counts, kasi one round lang diba, at the same time, one loss ka lang or two losses ka lang nasa baba ka na ng standings,” he added.
“So yun nga, pinaka-main goal namin is to manalo ng manalo para pagdating ng playoffs, ‘di kami kinakabahan na ma-out ulit.”
