Jayson Castro Leads TNT Tropang Giga to Playoff Berth
Jayson Castro refused to let his ailing knee prevent him from showing up when his team needed him the most. Initially a scratch for their final elimination round game in the PBA Philippine Cup, Castro pulled through as TNT clinched its playoff berth by way of a 98-93 win over Magnolia at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, May 5.
Castro’s Determination
Castro delivered the big hits and finished with 18 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds to help the Tropang Giga improve to 6-5 and nail the No. 4 seed in the quarterfinals. TNT head coach Chot Reyes mentioned that they were considering not playing Castro due to his knee issues, but Castro insisted on playing and made a significant impact on the game.
Key Players Performance
Aside from Castro, Kelly Williams also rose to the occasion with a season-high 19 points on top of 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Brian Heruela, Calvin Oftana, and Jewel Ponferada also contributed to the victory with their solid performances.
Upcoming Quarterfinals
TNT Tropang Giga, who secured the No. 4 seed, will face No. 5 Rain or Shine in a best-of-three quarterfinals series. The team is optimistic about their performance in the playoffs following this crucial win.
Final Scores
- TNT 98 – K. Williams 19, Castro 18, Heruela 13, Oftana 12, Ponferrada 10, Pogoy 7, Khobuntin 7, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Montalbo 4, Aurin 2, Galinato 2, Varilla 0
- Magnolia 93 – Barroca 22, Sangalang 21, Dionisio 14, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 7, Jalalon 6, Balanza 5, Lee 3, Laput 2, Reavis 2, Tratter 2, Eriobu 0, Mendoza 0
