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| Coach Chot Reyes bared that Jayson Castro played through an ankle sprain against Ginebra on Feb. 11. Dennis Acosta (file photo) |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Jayson Castro was the hands-down notable cut from the final lineup of Gilas against Australia in Melboune on Thursday night.
[Related Story: Abueva makes "Final 12"; Tratter set to make Gilas debut]
But Coach Chot Reyes revealed when he announced his dozen on Wednesday that the spitfire TNT guard actually has an ankle injury.
"Jayson twisted his ankle in their games against Phoenix and Ginebra," Reyes said.
But with the former PCU King Dolphin the most efficient player for the team during the first FIBA World Cup Qualifier window, Reyes still looked at the possibility of playing Castro's injured ankle.
"He tried to go hard in last night's practice, and still, he's not there (healthy level) at all. So we decided it wasn't worth the risk," Reyes continued. "It's hard not having our top point guard."
He also said that Jio Jalalon, the other cut from the Final 12, has a lingering leg injury as well.
"[Jio's] also feeling some slight pain in his legs," Reyes bared.
Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas will be tasked to man the quarterbacking chores for Gilas on Thursday with both Castro and Jalalon out.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
[Related Story: Abueva makes "Final 12"; Tratter set to make Gilas debut]
But Coach Chot Reyes revealed when he announced his dozen on Wednesday that the spitfire TNT guard actually has an ankle injury.
"Jayson twisted his ankle in their games against Phoenix and Ginebra," Reyes said.
But with the former PCU King Dolphin the most efficient player for the team during the first FIBA World Cup Qualifier window, Reyes still looked at the possibility of playing Castro's injured ankle.
"He tried to go hard in last night's practice, and still, he's not there (healthy level) at all. So we decided it wasn't worth the risk," Reyes continued. "It's hard not having our top point guard."
He also said that Jio Jalalon, the other cut from the Final 12, has a lingering leg injury as well.
"[Jio's] also feeling some slight pain in his legs," Reyes bared.
Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas will be tasked to man the quarterbacking chores for Gilas on Thursday with both Castro and Jalalon out.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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