LAST week, Jayson Castro reminded everyone he’s still got it.
This time around, “The Blur” proved he never lost it, after all.
On the heels of a thrilling game-winner last week, the 36-year-old guard stamped another masterclass performance to propel reigning champion TNT Tropang Giga to their third straight Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup finals stint.
Castro saved his best for last, clicking from all cylinders for 26 points on an impressive 10-of-13 field goal shooting on top of three rebounds, two assists, and a steal as TNT finished off Magnolia in Game 6 of the best-of-seven semifinals, 87-74, to advance.
The super-efficient Castro did it all in just 28 minutes of play on his way to capturing a second consecutive Cignal Play-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period August 10 to 14.
In three games overall last week, the Kapampangan pride put on a clinic behind averages of 17.7 points—73 percent clip including 40 percent from downtown—3.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds to become the unanimous choice as the final recipient of the weekly citation for this conference.
Humble as always, Castro deflected the credit to Magnolia’s defense being centered on TNT gunner Mikey Williams as the factor on his timely eruption.
“Their defense is on Mikey. So as a veteran, I need to takeover because they’re giving away shots,” said Castro, whose big triple inside the last three minutes pretty much took the fight out of the Hotshots for an 80-72 TNT lead.
“They’re all focused on Mikey, so I need to contribute on both ends. At the same time, as a point guard, I need to set things up,” he said. “For me, I need to orchestrate our offense, that’s what’s important to me.”
In Game 3, Castro drained the game-winning triple to give TNT a crucial 2-1 lead, but put out an even better showing as the Tropang Giga won two of the next three games to barge into the championship series against either Meralco or San Miguel Beer.
Prior to his stellar Game 6 outing, Castro had nine points and four assists in TNT’s 102-84 Game 4 win to take a commanding 3-1 lead, before unloading 18 points, six boards, and five assists in a close 105-97 Game 5 loss.
Now, he has his sights locked on the ultimate prize.
“As a player, 14 or 15 years with this team, my mentality is to win another championship, and at the same time build my legacy here, set an example for the young players.”
Also nominated for the weekly award being handed out by the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat were Castro’s TNT teammates Poy Erram and RR Pogoy, as well as Meralco’s Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan.