TNT’s Castro plots return from injury

MANILA, Philippines — We might be seeing TNT veteran Jayson Castro on the court soon.

While he will not be able to return in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup Finals, “The Blur” is targeting to return to the court by next conference’s elimination round.

Castro, who sustained a full thickness patellar tendon tear last year, was seen shooting around ahead of the Finals’ Game 1 on Wednesday. He also warmed up with his teammates.

After TNT’s 96-91 victory, Castro said he is excited to get back on the court.

“Yeah, target namin next conference elimination. Sana para at least makatulong din sa team,” he told reporters after the win.

He said that his recovery has been going well, and he might actually be ahead of schedule.

“Maganda, maganda yung recovery. I think 10 months na ngayon eh. So, target namin at least one year. Pero napaaga lang. Yung mga activity na dapat ginagawa ko next month or next-next month, nagagawa ko na ngayon,” he said.

“Parang mafeel ko na excited ulit maglaro kasi tagal na rin, ‘di ba?”

He said that he warmed up in the venue to “feel the game” and support his teammates.

“Maganda ang nira-run ng team, and at the same time andoon lang ako para sa kanila para magbigay ng support, advice, at the same time, yung sa mga guards,” he stressed.

“Excited na. Kaya kanina na-feel ko na parang yung energy ko at yung excitement nandoon talaga.”

Castro sustained the right knee injury back in late February last year, during the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

Despite the team missing the veteran playmaker, TNT won that import-laden conference’s title and made the 2025 Philippine Cup championship, where they fell to San Miguel in six games.

And even without Castro in the ongoing All-Filipino conference, the squad also made it to the championship round.

The Tropang 5G will shoot for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven title round on Friday, 7:30 p.m., at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.