Castro bails Gilas out in return
MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro couldn't have penned a better script for his return to the Philippine national basketball team on Sunday night.
The short of it: the streaky guard again lived up to his lofty billing as he plucked Gilas from clutches of a pesky Akatsuki Five side, which buried them by as many as 16 points sometime in the game.
Coming from an injury like Troy Rosario, Castro made sure his services vastly boosted the Nationals' cause in their home stand in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The move was picturesque, let alone an exact reflection of his contribution to the game.
With 16 ticks left and the game still far from over, Castro handled the leather opposite Japan's skipper Rusei Shinoyama. The former got past his defender, only to meet another at the rim.
But this is Asia's best point guard. Twice, if we must add.
His speed? unmatched. His shot? Unbothered.
The clutch Castro that won it for @OfficialSBPinc #FIBAWC #ThisIsMyHouse
— FIBA World Cup (@FIBAWC) February 25, 2018
https://t.co/eod3IQWyfT
https://t.co/d2r7uQ6gh7 pic.twitter.com/tN8rAbZ4Nn
The soft-spoken cager shared that it was simply the years under his belt.
"Ah siguro as a veteran, 'yung mga ganoong responsibility kailangan kong [akuin]," he told the press.
"Kasi 'yun nga, nakita ko naman na may advantage ako. And then parang 'yung mga moment na ganoon, kapag beterano ka, dapat ikaw 'yung (tumira), 'di ba. So miss or make, 'yun nga, matira lang namin. Lucky lang na na-shoot," he closed.
Ever the humble guy, Castro wouldn't still call it a takeover.
Though his Twitter says otherwise.
This is our house! #LabanPilipinas #PUSO
— Jayson Castro (@jaywill_17) February 25, 2018
This is the third time "The Blur" bailed Philippines out in this tournament. He led Gilas in scoring in the first phase. That night, despite just finishing with eight, he still managed to make the biggest impact.
Let's hope we won't miss him in the final leg.
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