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MANILA, Philippines — Amid all the hoopla about the great coaches, imports and finals debutants bannering TNT and Barangay Ginebra, Tropang Giga veteran Jayson Castro issued a strong reminder that he’s still a major force in this dream finale.
Castro, 38, poured in 12 of his 14 in the third quarter to help the Tropang Giga create separation from Ginebra, 72-62, en route to their smashing 104-88 Game 1 romp in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals Sunday in front of a full house at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
It was vintage Castro on display as he virtually took his Ginebra defender, freshman sensation RJ Abarrientos, to school with his variety of moves in a crucial stretch.
Watch and learn, rookie.
“Pinakita ni Kuya Jayson kung sino talaga ‘yung Jayson Castro na iniidolo ko,” admitted Abarrientos.
“Nakita niyo naman kung paano ako atakihin kanina.’Yung pacing, ‘yung bagal-bilis niya at kung paano niya nagagawa ‘yun sa age niya. For me, marami pang kakaining bigas. Marami pang kulang,” he added.
Castro’s heroics in the third restored momentum for TNT after Ginebra cut its early 15-point spread to within manageable levels. From there, Rey Nambatac and the rest of the team took care of the mop-up operations to secure the 1-0 upperhand in the race-to-four showdown. — Olmin Leyba
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Credit belongs to: www.philstar.com
