No offer for Castro from China

MANILA, Philippines - Star guard Jayson Castro’s contract with TNT KaTropa has been extended up to the end of the PBA Governors Cup and it’s unlikely he’ll move to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) next season despite speculation an offer to play as an Asian import may be tendered.

Castro’s agent Danny Espiritu said the other day no offer has been made by any CBA team. Under CBA rules, only the last five finishers are allowed to enlist an Asian import aside from two “regular” out-of-Asia reinforcements. There are 20 teams in the CBA and last season, the last five clubs were Jiangsu, Jilin, Tianjin, Bayi and Foshan. Since Bayi plays without imports as the military entry of the People’s Liberation Army, the sixth to the last finisher – Beikong – will be given the privilege of signing an Asian import in the Rockets place.

Former Gilas head coach Rajko Toroman of Serbia was recently hired to call the shots for Tianjin so he could make a bid for Castro. Last campaign, the CBA started its regular season Oct. 31 and ended Feb. 5 with the playoffs beginning Feb. 15 and ending March 20. Every season, eight teams qualify for the playoffs. The quarterfinals and semifinals are best-of-five series while the finals is a best-of-seven affair.

Espiritu said it was Gilas naturalized player Andray Blatche’s boyhood friend and constant companion Bryan Extra who broached the idea of Castro playing in the CBA. Blatche has played the last two seasons in the CBA with Xinjiang. “No formal offer at the moment,” said Espiritu. “We are waiting for a letter of intent or invitation so we can begin to study the possibility of Jayson playing in the CBA. Without the letter, everything is just speculation. Only the last five placers in the CBA last season are allowed to get an Asian import so it will only be those five teams that can make an offer. Andray’s team made it to the semifinals so definitely, Xinjiang won’t make an offer.”

Espiritu said if ever Castro decides to play in the CBA, he’ll be gone for the PBA Philippine Cup next season, set to tentatively open Nov. 20 with the draft scheduled Oct. 30. Last season, the PBA Philippine Cup started Oct. 21 and ended Feb. 3. “Right now, Jayson’s not even considering it,” said Espiritu. “It’s just a verbal possibility communicated by BX and didn’t even come from China.”

Castro’s TNT contract is expiring Aug. 31 but has been extended up to October or until the end of the Governors Cup after which he becomes a free agent. Espiritu said a renewal has been offered by TNT for two years.

Espiritu’s son Marvin, also a player agent, said if ever an offer from China comes, it will likely be for a monthly salary of at least $50,000. Last season, the five Asian imports in the CBA were Iran’s Hamed Haddadi, Mehdi Kamrani and Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, Lebanon’s Fadi El Khatib and Palestine’s Sani Sakakini. There are no time restrictions in playing an Asian import except where the opponent is Bayi. Since Bayi has no imports, the CBA limits a team with three reinforcements, including an Asian, to play only a combined five quarters with only one to play in the fourth period. The CBA will allow Asian imports only if they are single passport holders, ruling out dual citizens.

Espiritu said he doesn’t know if there is a real interest in Castro from the CBA. “We won’t know until we get a letter of intent or invitation or offer,” he said. “If there’s an offer, my role is to just guide Jayson. He’ll be the one to decide whether to take it or not. I’m not in a position to decide for him.”

Espiritu said since he doesn’t email, his son is communicating with Extra. “I know Blatche is busy right now attending to tryouts to get back into the NBA,” he said. “As for Jayson, he’s focused on the PBA, nothing else. He’s not even thinking about the possibility of playing in China. What Jayson wants is for TNT to win the championship. TNT hasn’t been in the semifinals the last three conferences.”

TNT coach Jong Uichico said he hasn’t discussed the China offer with Castro because “it’s all just talk.” Uichico said the team is strictly focused on the Governors Cup where the KaTropa is the only unbeaten team left with a 6-0 record. TNT’s next game is against Mahindra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.