Parker, Castro share take on their last match-up

By Ivan Saldajeno

PASAY--In what would be their final battle against each other, the person tagged as the best point guard in Europe faced off with the person tagged as the best point guard in Asia in the FIBA OQT at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday night.

Tony Parker eventually bucked a slow start to help France prevail over Jayson Castro's Gilas Pilipinas, 93-84.

[Related Story: Gilas falls to France in OQT debut]

After the game, the San Antonio Spur and the Tropang TNT star addressed what it was like playing each other in a big stage like the FIBA OQT.

"I was excited but at the same time pressured," Castro said.

"[He's] pretty good," Parker assessed Castro's game, who also sees a good future for Terrence Romeo.

Parker already expressed that this year will be his last year with the Les Bleus regardless of whether they make the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil or not.

Castro, on the other hand, officially rendered his Gilas retirement on Thursday night on his Instagram account.

The end of our bid for a spot at the Rio Olympics will also be the end of my stint as a member of Gilas Pilipinas. For the past few years, it has been my honor to represent all of you but now it's time to hand over the responsibility to the younger generation. Maraming salamat sa walang sawang pagsuporta niyo sa Gilas. Hindi ko makakalimutan lahat ng pinagsamahan natin. Ako si Jayson Castro William, taga Guagua, Pampanga, lumaban para sa bayan. #7 #PUSO

A photo posted by Jayson Castro (@jaywill_17) on Jul 7, 2016 at 7:05am PDT

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