1 week ago
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TNT's Calvin Oftana (8) attempts a shot over the outstretched arms of Rain or Shine's Deon Thompson (9) and Gian Mamuyac (3) during their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash Wednesday evening at the Big Dome.
(PBA Images)
MANILA, Philippines — “For Kuya Jayson.”
With veteran guard Jayson Castro now out, possibly until next year, the TNT Tropang Giga are offering their remaining games to “The Blur.”
Castro was huge for TNT in the first two games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
But late in Game 2, he sustained a right knee injury that was later deemed a full thickness patellar tendon tear, forcing the 38-year-old sit out for at least a year.
In Game 3, TNT started putting a No. 17 patch on the upper right part of their jerseys – Castro’s number.
After a 93-85 Game 4 win on Wednesday evening that gave the Tropang Giga a 3-1 series lead, forward Calvin Oftana said that the team is offering their remaining games to the veteran playmaker.
“Malaking bagay kasi na wala si Kuya Jayson e. Itong remaining games namin talagang in-offer namin sa kanya,” Oftana told reporters.
After a narrow 103-98 loss in Game 3, Oftana was the focal point of the offense for TNT in Game 4, coming up big with 26 points.
But despite his performance, the 29-year-old sharpshooter stressed that the whole team needs to step up and fill the hole left by Castro.
“Big factor si Kuya Jayson sa amin, pero yun nga, it’s not one person na mag-fill up ng shoes ni Kuya Jayson, it should be us as a team,” Oftana said.
“Hinanapan ako ni coach [ng production] e. Hindi ko naman inisip yun. Yung contribution ko sa team malaking bagay din para manalo kami, lalo ngayon wala si Kuya Jayson,” he added.
Aside from Oftana, RR Pogoy also had a massive performance with 22 points in almost 45 minutes of play. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson chipped in 17 markers, 11 boards, five dimes, two swats and a steal, while Rey Nambatac produced 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.
“It’s not just about me naman, yung effort ng kasama ko, intangibles, like si Kim [Aurin] sa depensa, si Kuya Kelly [Williams] yung leadership niya sa loob and presensya niya sa pagbantay kay Deon [Thompson]. Yun yung mga bagay na talagang malaking bagay sa pagpanalo namin.”
On Wednesday, Oftana shot 12-of-21 from the field, but he managed to connect on just one 3-pointer on his five attempts. Through the past two games, he has a combined 3-of-12 clip from beyond the arc.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes bared that Castro’s surgery was already done a couple of days ago.
“He's just now going through the long process of recovery and rehab. It's going to take at least a year. Next year na natin makikita si Jayson,” he said.
“We sent messages, but I think that his number on our jersey is a statement enough.”
Now, the Tropang Giga will try to punch a finals ticket on Friday, 5 p.m., also at the Big Dome.
