Gilas injury update: Castro, Lee day-to-day

MANILA, Philippines – Gilas Pilipinas top playmaker Jayson Castro is racing against time to fast-track his recovery from his Achilles injury.

Castro, who slipped on the floor during Gilas’ 75-66 loss to Euskadi (Basque national team) the other day, has received good news with both his X-Ray and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) results turning out negative.

For all those who are asking. MRI revealed no structural damage. Whew! Still swelling in his Achilles,… http://t.co/UFlXt7Wtjs

— Josh Reyes (@josh_reyes) August 20, 2014

“For all those who are asking, MRI revealed no structural damage,” Gilas assistant coach Josh Reyes posted on his Instragram account together with Castro’s photo where he is wearing a protective boot on his left foot.

“Whew! [There’s] still swelling in his Achilles, though. Jayson’s status is day-to-day. Paul Lee is the same status,” he added.

The attending physician told Castro that it will need 3-4 weeks to completely heal the injury but the durable Castro, who has played through pain in the past in helping Talk n Text win titles in the PBA, said the injury is not much of a concern.  

“Nothing to worry about,” Castro told Philstar.com after the X-ray and MRI results came in. “3-4 days lang, okay na ako.”

Casto, voted as Asia’s best point guard in last year’s FIBA Asia Men’s Championship, will sit out Gilas’ next game against Angola and will have an extra day to recover from the swelling as their tuneup game against Mexico on Saturday was cancelled.

Related story: Gilas loses 4th in a row; Castro, Lee to undergo MRI

Gilas team manager Aboy Castro told Philstar.com earlier that Mexico changed their plans leading to the cancelation which is a blessing in disguise for the banged up Gilas team training in Spain.

Meanwhile, Lee practiced with the team and looks good to go against Angola. He, however, banged up his knees after slipping off the ball.

Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes, though, is positive that Lee may play as he had a good practice with the team on Wednesday.

He, however, remains wary of Castro’s condition and has already asked Jared Dillinger to be ready just in case his top 'breakdown' guy won’t be able to play in the World Cup. Reyes has long been regarded Castro as the main catalyst of Gilas' dribble drive offense and his FIBA Asia performance has proven it. 

But Castro's track record with injuries in the past reveals he will most likely suit up. 

Related Story: Castro, Lee ruled out vs Angola; Mexico nixes tuneup vs Gilas