Name Game: From Jayson Castro to Jayson William

MANILA, Philippines – Wonder why Jayson Castro suddenly became Jayson William?

The Gilas Pilipinas sleek guard’s real full name as shown in all his legal documents is Jayson Castro William, a Guagua, Pampanga native born to an American father and a Filipina mother.

From his collegiate playing days with the Philippine Christian U Dolphins to his stint with the PBL and to his graduation to the PBA, he’s been using the name Castro in tribute to his mom.

“His parents got separated, and his lola by his mother’s side was the one who raised him in Guagua,” said Virgil Villavicencio, sports media chief of the Smart/PLDT Group.

“He really uses William in international play,” said GlobalPort official Erick Arejola, recalling Castro carrying the name William in his stint with the Harbour Centre-sponsored Phl team to the Southeast Asian meet in 2006.

In the 27th FIBA Asia Championship, he’s again Jayson William, the name stated in his passport.

“Wala naman sa pangalan yan eh. Nasa laro yan,” he said.

The cases of JR Sakuragi and Lee Seung Jun are different. These players opted to change their names in obtaining new nationality.

Sakuragi of Japan is formerly JR Henderson while Korea’s Lee is the former Eric Sandrin.

William had his breakthrough performance in the 2013 Asian wars Friday night, leading Gilas Pilipinas to a stirring come-from-behind 77-71 win over Jordan.

Starting with Gary David, Gabe Norwood, Ranidel de Ocampo and Marcus Douthit, the 5-foot-11 combo guard played 22 minutes and collected 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal in a sterling performance cheered on by the home crowd.

He made key stops and clutch baskets helping fuel Gilas Pilipinas’ decisive third-quarter romp that carried the team to an outright entry into the second round of elimination play.

On Thursday against Saudi Arabia, William was jittery, struggling with a 2-of-5 field shooting.

Many are saying William is among Gilas players needed to step up if the Nationals are to achieve their goal of qualifying to the FIBA World Cup in Spain next year.