After subpar performances in the past games, Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy bounced back in style to bring TNT KaTropa to a Game Four victory over San Miguel Beermen in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
“The Blur”, who had 10 turnovers in a forgettable Game Three loss, redeemed himself by scoring 10 of his 17 points in the fourth period to lead KaTropa to a hard-earned win.
“As a veteran alam ko naman na masama yung laro ko,” Castro said. “Nag-apologize ako sa mga teammates ko kasi ako yung parang leader dapat. This game, sinabi ko sa kanila na babawi ako sa kanila. Kailangang ipakita ko sa kanila na even if masama yung laro ko, kailangan ko pa ring maging confident.”
Coming off the bench in Game Four wasn’t an issue for Castro.
“Kung maalala niyo with Coach Chot before kumportable ako na off the bench ako. Never ako nag-demand na i-start ako or off the bench ako. As long as makakatulong sa team, willing ako i-sacrifice lahat,” he said.
Like Castro, Pogoy also had a huge bounce-back game. After dropping a career-high 27 points in the series opener, he went scoreless in Game Two and Three. But he got out of his slump in Game Four and finished with 14 markers.
“Ini-encourage pa rin namin siya na itira yung mga wide open shots,” added Castro. “Kailangang maging aggressive lang siya dahil alam naman namin kaya niyang umiskor.”