Jayson Castro will be out for the remainder of the season for the TNT Tropang Giga due to a patellar tendon tear he sustained in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
The TNT Tropang Giga are on the brink of seizing full control of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, but they’ll have to do it without one of their most trusted leaders.
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TNT, holding a 2-0 series lead, looks to move within a win of the Finals when they take on Rain or Shine in Game 3 on Sunday, March 2, back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
However, they’ll be without Jayson Castro, who suffered a patellar tendon tear in their thrilling 93-91 victory in Game 2.
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Despite the lead, Coach Chot Reyes remains cautious, knowing how close both games have been.
"This could have been easily 2-0 the other way. That’s how close the series is. We don’t feel that we’re up 2-0 at all," Reyes said.
"Our approach the next game is going to be as if we do not have that kind of an advantage."
With Castro sidelined, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, and RR Pogoy will have to take on even bigger roles as TNT tries to push Rain or Shine to the brink of elimination. Tip off is set for 5:00 p.m.
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(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]