TNT eyes 3-0 lead minus Castro

MANILA, Philippines — The tough task of hunting for a double crown just got exponentially tougher for the TNT Tropang Giga, who will now have to do so without marquee playmaker Jayson Castro.

Castro, hero of many of TNT’s successes, including its conquest of the last PBA Governors’ Cup, went down with a major knee injury Friday night that abruptly cut short his stint in Season 49.

“According to our doctor, the MRI (test) looks like a full thickness patellar tendon tear,” TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa said yesterday.

Asked how long the 38-year-old veteran will be out, Lastimosa estimated “10 to 12 months.”

The unfortunate exit of Castro, the Finals MVP when TNT retained the GC crown with a 4-2 disposal of Ginebra last November, leaves a huge void as the Tropang Giga soldier on in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup.

Castro turned in a vintage performance of 24 points spiked by a 6-of-7 three-point clip to go with four steals to lead the squad to an 88-84 opening win over Rain or Shine in the best-of-seven semifinals Wednesday.

Holding the fort in Game 2 after Rondae Hollis-Jefferson fouled out halfway through the fourth, the 5-foot-10 guard found himself taking the exit after twisting his right knee on his way to the basket.

Castro limped out of the court aided by teammates and was eventually stretchered out of the venue en route to the hospital.

“Very concerning from my standpoint, not only for this series but for Jayson’s well-being long term, his physical fitness, his health. So the only thing we can do now is pray (for Castro),” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

After surviving Castro’s and Hollis-Jefferson’s late absence in Game 2, 93-91, the Tropang Giga shoot for a commanding 3-0 lead against the Elasto Painters at 5 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Like TNT, the Gin Kings seek to get on the hill in their own race-to-four contest versus NorthPort after a pair of dominant victories, 115-93, and 119-106.