If there's anything Jayson Castro learned from TNT KaTropa's two-game skid is that they may have relied too much on Joshua Smith instead of giving the wide-bodied import enough support.
"Magmula nung dumating si Josh parang masyado ako nag-relax," Castro said after TNT ended its dryspell Friday with a 91-85 victory over Meralco at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"Parang naging kampante ako na anytime pwede namin siya puntahan. Narealize ko lang na kailangan ko din maging aggressive para maging open siya. Nawawala rin timing ko."
Castro regained his groove by dropping 20 points that kept the KaTropa alive in the race for the twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
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"Anytime naman kaya kong gawin yun, masyado ko lang siguro binabasa yung defense hindi yung nagiging aggressive ako," said Castro.
But TNT displayed more resolve after losing Smith in the third quarter to an injured nose, with Castro and Troy Rosario leading a breakaway. Rosario finished with 30 points, one shy of his career-high.
"Yung teamwork dun lumalabas e," said Rosario. "Kung meron isang nagiistruggle o naiinjure, talagang dun lumalabas yung laro nung mga teammates."
Jericho Cruz came off the bench to score 11 points while Rosario and Williams combined for 22 rebounds to help TNT secure its seventh win in 10 outings this conference, tying Meralco for third.
TNT battles Rain or Shine on July 7 for a likely chance at clinching the quarterfinal bonus.(JT)
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