Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Facing what was essentially a must-win Game 4 against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, the TNT Tropang 5G called on their leader and heart and soul, Jayson Castro, to lead the way.
And he delivered.
The 39-year-old made a surprise start in Game 4 and proved to be a calming presence as he helped TNT avoid another flat start despite the hot shooting of Justin Brownlee and RJ Abarrientos. Castro eventually finished with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 assist in a little over 23 minutes of action.
Chot Reyes Isn’t Surprised About Castro Stepping Up
For TNT coach Chot Reyes, putting Castro in was a no-brainer given the magnitude of Game 4. And it looks like the multi-titled tactician wasn’t the least bit surprised that his veteran guard, whose minutes are closely monitored by the team now, rose to the occasion.
“If you take a look at all of our final series, except the last couple of series where we didn’t have Jason, we really tried to keep him off the starting lineup as late as possible because we don’t want to overextend him. We want to manage his minutes,” Reyes told reporters after TNT’s 106-98 win in Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. “But being down 2-1, we felt it was time for Jason. So, he’s just ready whenever and whatever it is that we need from him.”
“And he knows himself that he had a very bad game the last time, and he got himself ready for tonight.”
It was Jayson Castro time, indeed. His veteran leadership steadied the Tropa all game long, and his 9 first-half points allowed TNT to keep pace with the hot-shooting Gin Kings.
Then, come the second half, Jordan Heading and Chris McCullough took over.
But Castro’s imprints were still all over Game 4.
