TNT KaTropa star Jayson Castro doesn’t see any problem with coach Nash Racela’s decision to limit the minutes of his veteran players in lieu of the team’s young guns as they look to find the winning formula in their drive towards making the quarterfinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
It seemed that the KaTropa have found the right mix last Wednesday when they beat the Mahindra Floodbuster, 104-92, at the Cuneta Astrodome to snap a two-game losing skid while staying inside the playoff race.
Huge minutes were given to youngsters like sophomore forward Troy Rosario, who topscored with 18 points, Mo Tautuaa and Kris Rosales even as Castro, Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes were able to contribute key baskets when it mattered to give TNT its fifth win in nine games.
Racela’s youth movement came after TNT was blown out by Star, 90-77, last Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Parang ni-recall lang namin yung before na nagchachampion kami, yun yung ginagawa ulit namin,” Castro said. “Yung minutes namin binababaan para equal opportunities sa lahat, and at the same time everytime pagpasok namin, fresh kami.”
When asked if the vets are embracing the limited playing time, Castro said: “Wala namang problema sa amin yun. Goal naman talaga namin e yung makakabuti sa team.”
Big games await the KaTropa before the end of the eliminations. They take on the Globalport Batang Pier on Wednesday at the Astrodome, before battling the San Miguel Beermen on Jan. 28 at the Philsports Arena.