Now recovered from a hamstring injury that he had sustained last Philippine Cup, Jayson Castro has finally returned to the TNT Katropa lineup on Sunday night. And he immediately made huge impact, as if he had not just been sidelined.
In their 134-109 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, the 30-year-old — who was even fielded by head coach Nash Racela as a starter — finished with a double-double of 10 markers and 14 assists in the 22 minutes he played.
It was a showcase of the 5-foot-10 guard’s efficiency that even the people around him — head coach Nash Racela and outgoing import Lou Amundson — are lauding his effort.
“We were just fortunate to have Jayson back,” said Racela.
“Having Jayson was obviously huge for them. He’s a great player so that’s a big lift,” added Amundson.
“The way they played today, fast, uptempo, fast breaks, and good defense, the sky is the limit for this team.”
But for Castro, he just did what a floor general has to do — getting everyone on the court involved.
“Yun lang naman kailangan namin eh kasi marami naman kaming scorers and at the same time shooters, so kailangan ko talaga i-involve [sila] every game para lumuwag rin yung defense sa akin,” said Castro.
“Kapag maganda yung outside shots namin, yung offense okay eh.”
In his absence last Friday in their loss to Meralco, TNT simultaneously rotated guards to take his place. One of those who delivered was rookie Roger Pogoy, and Castro has nothing but praises for the 24-year-old.
“Ganda, sa defense and offense makikita mo. Maganda lang sa kanya di nawawala yung defense even maganda yung offense niya which is maganda para sa amin,” lauded Castro of Pogoy, who finished with 17 markers.
As the Commissioner’s Cup rolls on with him fully healed, Castro looks forward to similar performances, and he also looks forward to playing with incoming import Donte Greene, a 6-foot-11 NBA veteran who will take place of Lou Amundson.
“Okay naman, this time naman may time pa kami mag-prepare tsaka iintroduce yung offense sa kanya. Pero like Lou [Amundson], ex-NBA player eh, kaya naman nilang mag-adjust,” said Castro.
