Castro confident TNT can level series with Ginebra
Jayson Castro of TNT KaTropa drives to the hoop during Game 3 of their semifinals series with Barangay Ginebra, Friday night. | PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines — Despite having their backs against the wall, TNT skipper Jayson Castro firmly believes that KaTropa is still capable of securing an equalizer in their semifinal series with Barangay Ginebra.
After nearly pulling the rug on the Gin Kings Friday night, the longtime KaTropa floor general said that his team still subscribes to the idea that they can take down the crowd favorites.
“Iyong confidence namin, andoon parin naman,” told the press in a post-game chat. “May mga mistakes lang kaming [na-commit].”
KaTropa clawed their way back to an 11-point deficit to threaten the Gin Kings late in the game. Behind import Glen Rice’s 44 points, TNT kept it close up until the final six seconds of the game.
"If you look at the game, tinalo lang kami (ng Ginebra) by three points,” he offered.
"Then last shot pa kami for overtime sana.”
Rice had a chance to knot it in the final sequence, but the ball rattled out of the cylinder.
Nevertheless, hovering over the game’s result was a tension-filled halftime that saw Castro’s coach tangle with Ginebra’s team governor. (LINK)
For his part, Castro would prefer to not add gasoline to the fire, saying it’s a given due to the stakes.
“Ganoon naman talaga kapag Playoffs,” he offered. “Both teams, syempre, gustong manalo. Natural na ‘yon.”
The 31-year-old also declined to comment on the free throw disparity, calls and non-calls that supposedly tainted the game.
Castro said he’s already focused on the task at hand — and that is forcing a rubber match this Sunday.
"Alam namin na kaya namin sila talunin … 'Yung composure namin dapat andoon pa rin,” he closed.
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