By MARK REY MONTEJO
Aging like a fine wine, veteran Jayson Castro finally bagged his first solo Finals MVP plum in his 16 years with the TNT franchise.
He did have two of that award but he shared it with former backcourt tandem and another TNT great Jimmy Alapag.
On Friday, Nov. 8, Castro made sure to have a coronation of his own as he helped TNT dispatched the Barangay Ginebra in six games to hoist the franchise’s second-straight Governors’ Cup crown.
At 38, Castro simply proved that age is just a number and he has plenty of gas left on his tank after averaging 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists including an impressive 13-point, six-assist and two-rebound performance in the title clincher to bag the Finals MVP plum.
He was the oldest to win such an award and the seventh player to have three in his career joining June Mar Fajardo, LA Tenorio, James Yap, Danny Seigle, Erik Menk and Danny Ildefonso.
“Sobrang special kasi diba andon nako sa latter part ng career ko at ilang years nalang [meron ako]. Sabi ko naman sa management tyaka sa mga teammates ko na hanggang nandito ako, ibibigay ko ‘yong best ko,” said Castro.
“At the same time, inaalagaan ko naman ‘yong katawan ko, pati ‘yong mental [health ko] ko, so I think kaya ko pa makipag-compete,” he added.
The former Gilas star came out big down the stretch where he orchestrated the Tropang Giga’s fightback in the fourth quarter after being down as big as 11, 68-57, in the third frame.
He linked up with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in leading that assault and even made key plays down the stretch to put the game to rest and become a nine-time PBA champion.
“Sobrang sarap sa feeling kasi ‘to ‘yong championship na marami kaming napagdaanan. Kasi makita niyo noong last conference sobrang sama [ng laro] namin, ni hindi man kami umabot ng semifinals,” Castro continued.
“Sabi nga ni coach Chot (Reyes) during training camp pa lang, ‘to ‘yong conference na kailangan naming makabawi at ipakita na kaya pa naming mag-champion,” he added.
And nothing could put an even more poetic end to TNT’s title chase with Castro and another veteran in Kelly Williams putting on the finishing touches. The veteran guard recovered the loose ball and then found a cutting
Williams for the dagger layup in the waning seconds.
“No’ng nakita ko napa-wow rin ako eh, kasi ‘yon nga dalawang veteran… pero si Kelly, imagine that parang dalawang veteran kaya pang makapag-close out ng game na ganun,” said Castro.
“Sobrang special para sakin nun, kasi pag kapasa ko [kay Kelly] up six kami eh, kaya sabi ko may malaking chance na manalo.”
