WHEN Jayson Castro opened his 16th season with TNT this year, he no longer had aspirations of becoming the main guy with his team, already settled with a reduced role due to his age and injuries, and giving the reins to younger players such as Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Rey Nambatac.
But admittedly, Castro's competitive fire remains burning even though he is now at the twilight of his career.
That spirit was especially evident during the Governors' Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra where he was a lot healthier than past seasons when the TNT coaching staff decided to manage Castro's load over the course of the conference.
"As a veteran, kapag nakita mo na kaya mong mag-contribute pa ng mas malaki, talagang at the same time, ‘yung competitiveness mo, talagang ibibigay mo lahat eh," the 38-year-old Castro said.
"Buti na lang, nakapag-perform ako ng maganda sa finals. At the same time, as a veteran, kailangan mo rin sila i-guide."
Castro's effort led to TNT claiming the Governors' Cup crown at the expense of Barangay Ginebra on Friday in Game Six, eventually winning his third Honda-PBA Press Corps Finals MVP for averaging 10.4 points and 5.0 assists, and more importantly, showing poise amidst tremendous pressure during the series.
That poise in the end game showed in the waning moments of Friday's contest. Castro teamed up with 42-year-old Kelly Williams for a reverse lay-up that enabled TNT to bring its lead up to six, part of a 10-0 closing run that sealed the crown for the Tropang Giga.
“Kahit ako napa-wow," Castro said of his key play with Williams. "Parang dalawang veterans. Hindi naman ako 40. Si Kelly, imagine that, dalawang veterans, kaya pang mag-close-out ng ganun,” he said.
"Sobrang special sa akin nun dahil up by six tapos one minute plus, malaking chance na manalo kami.”
By capturing the plum, he became the oldest player to win the Finals MVP, breaking LA Tenorio's feat during the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble where he won the award at 36, co-incidentally in Barangay Ginebra's win over TNT.
READ: Jayson Castro explains why third Finals MVP is 'sobrang special'
Now that a few TNT players won their first, and some now have multiple championships in their resume, Castro said that it is only a matter of time before they will be the ones who will show composure and take the Tropang Giga back to the championship.
"Makikita naman ‘yung potential nila pero sa endgame, medyo nawawala pa. This time na nakuha na namin ‘yung championship, sila na ‘yung magte-take over,” said Castro.
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