THERE were two riveting tales in TNT’s title win at the expense of Ginebra in the just concluded PBA Governors’ Cup.
For one, Tropang Giga veteran playmaker Jayson Castro proved to all that he still has what it takes, winning the finals MVP award—the oldest player to do so in the league at 38.
Castro downplayed his third overall finals MVP plum and first since bagging it alongside PBA great Jimmy Alapag in the 2010-11 Philippine Cup and 2011 Commissioner’s Cup.
“Iyong MVP na iyon, para sa akin, hindi ako iyon, kung hindi ang buong team,” Castro said. “Kung makikita ninyo naman sa Best Player of the Conference, wala sa aming candidate.
“Kasi we play as a team. Kung sino iyong suwerte, susuportahan namin,” he added.
The battle-scarred star averaged 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game in the six-game Big Dance that TNT wrapped up with a 95-85 victory last Friday night where he scored 13 points, grabbed two rebounds and issued six assists.
While it’s not the first crown for Castro, teammate Rey Nambatac never had it this good after finally tasting how to be a champion in Asia’s first play-for-pay league.
“Nakaabot din sa tuktok. Nandito na ako finally. Masasabi ko na sa sarili ko na isa na akong champion,” Nambatac said.
“Minsan nang dumating sa isip ko na nawalan ako ng gana na makaabot pa sa finals.”
A former Letran standout, the 5-foot-9 Nambatac was tabbed 11th overall by Rain or Shine in the Draft seven years ago and landed with the Tropang Giga last July from the Blackwater Bossing for Kib Montalbo, Jewel Ponferada, and a second-round pick in the 53rd season.
The move was seen to make up for the impasse between the prolific but mercurial gunner Mikey Williams and TNT.
Nambatac, 30, has emerged from Williams’ shadows.
“Blessing in disguise na napunta ako sa TNT,” Nambatac said. “So, iyon ang naging motivation ko, na ito iyong pinaka-best shot ko na makatikim ako ng finals and makapag-champion,” Nambatac said.
For Castro, there’s plenty left in his storied career that should serve the Tropang Giga in good stead as they try to rebuild a dynasty.
“Sobrang special kasi nandoon na ako sa latter part na… ilang years na lang (sa career). Pero iyon nga, sabi ko naman sa management and sa mga teammate ko, hangga’t nandito ako ibibigay ko iyong best ko,” he said.
“At the same time, inaalagaan ko naman iyong katawan ko. Hindi lang iyong katawan, pati iyong mental. I think kaya ko pang makipag-compete.”
