SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim cone admitted that Jayson Castro’s premature exit “changed the complexion” of Game Four of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Sunday night.
The 34-year-old was already in pain in the first half, but things turned from bad to worse in the third canto. After attacking the rim and leaping for a drop pass to Poy Erram underneath, he sprawled onto the floor at the 9:35-mark.
It took him a while to get back up, before teammates Harvey Carey and Jjay Alejandro helped him to the bench. He did not return, leaving the game with just two points, two assists, and a rebound.
His departure came at the worst of times, since the Tropa were staring at a 56-41 deficit. Although his teammates tried to rally in the fourth, it wasn’t enough. They fell to an 88-98 defeat — and a 1-3 deficit in the series.
“When Jayson went out of the game, that really changed the complexion of the game,” Cone said moments after the match at the SMART 5G-powered AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
“I wouldn’t say it made it easier for us, because they still made a great comeback and [Roger] Pogoy hit all those shots,” he added as TNT fought back from as much as 18 down. “But we didn’t have to worry about Jayson.”
Castro has been playing through pain since the season reopened inside the bubble. Calf issues have hounded the veteran, causing him to miss some games as TNT did its best to manage his situation.
However, reports said that his Game Four exit was because of bone spurs in his left knee. And that is a huge blow for TNT and its title aspirations, since it already has Ray Parks in its injury list due to a strained left calf.
Both of them are now questionable for Game Five, in what could possibly be the clincher. And for Cone, if ever they won’t play, he compared it to Ginebra losing major players such as Scottie Thompson and Stanley Pringle.
“I don’t know what Jayson’s status is and Bobby Ray’s, but they’re down a couple of really, really key players. That would be like us losing Scottie and Stanley, and how difficult would it be for us to win without Scottie and Stanley?”
Still, the league’s most accomplished mentor said that they are going to prepare for Wednesday’s game assuming that they will see action.
“Right now, I just think that we’re just going to try to go out, and whoever shows up we’re going to go out and play,” Cone said.
“Those are two big losses for them, but I know that Bobby Ray is supposedly close to coming back. And Jayson’s a warrior, he’ll find a way if he possibly can. So we’re going to assume that they’re both going to play on Wednesday.”
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