JAYSON Castro has indicated his stint in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament will be his last for Gilas Pilipinas.
Castro bared his plans to put an end to his international career minutes after an 80-89 loss to New Zealand on Wednesday night ended Gilas Pilipinas' quest to reach the Rio Olympic Games.
“Siguro this is my last,” Castro told reporters outside Mall of Asia Arena before excusing himself.
[See Gilas dream of return to Olympics end after bowing to tough New Zealand]
In what could be his final stint with Gilas Pilipinas, Castro finished with 13 points but struggled to get untracked against a New Zealand side that clogged the lanes to stop his vaunted penetrations.
Castro later credited New Zealand for its defense.
“Nung first quarter, talagang dineny nila si Andray. ‘Yung defense nila maganda. Na-outplay talaga kami,” Castro said.
Even if Castro doesn't formally retire from Gilas, the continued participation of PBA players in the national team program is already in doubt following Fiba's decision to shift to a home-and-away qualifying format for the 2019 World Cup.
Already, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has laid down plans to put together an all-amateur Gilas cadets side for the next qualifying process beginning next year.
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