Jayson Castro only had eight points, but his last pair of markers mattered the most. Dennis Acosta |
PASAY--Despite a quiet outing with eight points, Jayson Castro still made his presence felt just when Gilas needed the most.
With the team's lead down to two with not much time left, Castro drove to the basket and went for a teardrop that went in with 10.6 seconds to go to put Gilas up by four.
"Being one of the veterans sa team, yung mga possession na ganoon kailangan ko mag-step up. So, na-feel ko na may advantage ako and then yun, may wide-open floater," Castro said after the game.
It turned out to be the dagger basket as Gilas escaped Japan at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"Being one of the veterans sa team, yung mga possession na ganoon kailangan ko mag-step up. So, na-feel ko na may advantage ako and then yun, may wide-open floater," Castro said after the game.
It turned out to be the dagger basket as Gilas escaped Japan at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Castro then confirmed that Reyes mapped out the play for him.
"Kasi kapag ganoong sitwasyon, siyempre sinabi ni Coach na kunin yung bola kasi na-feel namin na may mas advantage ako," Castro explained.
But he later deflected credit for the win.
"Kung nakita niyo, maganda yung nilaro ng young guys. Basta sinabi ko lang kay Coach na ready ako in case gamitin niya, pero masaya ako na nag-step up yung young guys. Kita mo sa kanila na ready na sila," Castro further said.
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Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno