JAYSON Castro said his latest feat as the Finals MVP of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup is something special, considering that he never thought he'd still be capable of winning an award at this point in his career.
At age 38, Castro is now the oldest player to win the Finals MVP after helping TNT pull off a 95-85 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game Six where he had 13 points, two rebounds, and six assists.
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It was also the first time that Castro won the award by himself, as his two previous awards – in the 2010 Fiesta Cup finals and the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup finals – were shared by Jimmy Alapag.
“2011? Napaghahalata na yata ako,” said Castro smiling when reminded that his last Finals MVP was 13 years ago. “That time medyo bata pa ako.”
“Sobrang na-appreciate ko, sa age kong ganito,” said Castro.
The individual award was not without a challenge as Castro said the entire team had an array of problems either personal or physical during the campaign.
“Sobrang special sa akin. Ang dami namang pinagdaanan na hindi lang name-media pero nakuha pa rin namin ‘yung championship. ‘Yug ang pinaka-reward namin sa lahat ng paghihirap namin,” said Castro.
Castro was not exempt from that, particularly in the physical part, saying that he had to wear gear in order to protect some of his body parts, most especially his right knee.
“To be honest, may mga support na ako na kailangang isuot before the game para makatulong kung ano man ‘yung nararamadaman ko,” said Castro, who declined to reveal what his injury is. “Despite noon, as a player, championship, no excuses na ‘to. Kailangang maglaro.”
Castro said TNT also had to hurdle a Barangay Ginebra team that had enough weapons to win a championship.
“Sobrang sarap ng feeling. Against Ginebra na sobrang dami ng fans nila. At the same time, Brownlee na sobrang galing. ‘Yung mga rookies nila, sila [Stephen] Holt. Sobrang special ng championship na ‘to lalo na sa akin dahil sa mga pinagdaanan namin,” said Castro.
Castro maintained that he wouldn’t have won the Finals MVP if not for his teammates.
“Sobrang special sa akin. Pero sabi ko, we play as a team. Makikita niyo talaga, kahit sa Best Player of the Conference, walang candidate sa amin. Doon mo mabe-base na we play as a team. Kung sino ‘yung nandiyan, sinusuportahan namin talaga. Nagkataon lang siguro,” said Castro.
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