Jayson Castro wanted to show up to support the TNT Tropang 5G against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. He ended up doing more than that.
Injured and all, Jayson Castro was very active on the sidelines as the TNT Tropang 5G fought for dear life on Wednesday night, June 18.
There was even a time coach Chot Reyes let him do the talking as the Tropang 5G climbed back from a 13-point hole before hacking out an 89-88 win over Magnolia in their PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup match.
Reyes appreciated the help from the two-time Asia’s Best Point Guard, who is recovering from a knee injury.
“He really gives a lot of very crucial inputs during the huddle, during the timeout, the halftime break,” said Reyes after the game at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
“Sabi ko nga, ‘Jayson, ikaw na nga mag coach.’ He really sees the game very well.”
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For his part, Castro simply missed the action after deciding to focus on his rehabilitation.
“Namiss ko 'yung ganitong vibe. Ang tagal kong hindi nakakapunta sa game kasi nag-focus ako sa rehab tsaka sa strengthening ko,” said the man dubbed as “The Blur,” who added he is working on his injured knee twice a day to expedite his recovery.
“Sabi ko this playoffs kailangan kong pumunta... This game, na-feel ko 'yung excitement. Kaya excited akong bumalik ulit.”
Castro suffered a patellar tendon tear on his right knee early in the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals against Rain or Shine. Without him, the Tropang 5G still managed to win back-to-back titles this season.
[ALSO READ: Jayson Castro out for the PBA season after knee injury in TNT's Game 2 win over Rain or Shine]
Asked if there’s a timetable for his return, Castro didn’t say anything concrete.
“Sa akin malapit na, pero yung management and 'yung coaches, sila 'yung nagbibigay ng advice and then 'yung mga PT rin namin, na gusto namin kapag bumalik ka, 100 percent wala kang iniisip,” he said.
“Siguro pakikinggan ko rin yung kung ano yung bibigay na advice ng doktor ko and ng PT namin.”
For now, Castro is content with being a cheerleader as the Tropang 5G aim to keep the Grand Slam drive alive when they take on Magnolia in the do-or-die match on Saturday, June 21.
“Ah yea, of course (pupunta sa Saturday). To give support lang sa mga teammate ko,” he said.
[ALSO READ: RR Pogoy refuses to go home as TNT drags Magnolia to PBA do-or-die: 'Ayaw ko pang magbakasyon’]