JAYSON Castro doesn't plan to slow down entering his 16th season in the PBA.
The veteran guard said he remains driven to play and win a championship for TNT despite just two years away from turning 40.
Castro admitted the wear and tear of the game has begun to catch up with him, but that doesn't mean he's ready to finally walk away from the sport that has been very good to him.
"Andun pa rin yung competitiveness natin. Andun pa rin yung fire na manalo ulit ng championship," said the Bacolor, Pampanga native as he led the TNT Tropang Giga during the PBA Media Day at the Le Parc Event Hall in Pasay City.
The Tropang Giga failed to reach deep into the playoffs of the two conferences last season, both bombing out in the quarterfinals of the Commissioner's Cup and Philippine Cup, respectively.
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Castro, an eight-time champion and five-time Best Player of the Conference, averaged 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season.
His playing minutes now being managed, the long-time face of the TNT franchise welcomes the addition of new, young blood in the Tropang Giga backcourt, the most recent of which is Rey Nambatac, acquired in a trade with Blackwater for Kib Montalbo, Jewel Ponferada, and a future second round pick.
TNT also got the services of long-time TNT player Almond Vosotros from its former 3x3 team as part of its backcourt rotation.
"Malaking tulong sa amin si Rey (Nambatac) kasi beterano na rin naman siya dito sa PBA," Castro said of the guard out of Letran.
The Tropang Giga haven't won a championship since the 2023 Governors' Cup behind import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
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They'll try to defend their title in the season opener with former NBA player Darius Days as import.
The Media Day is sponsored by ARENA Plus, Yellow Cab Pizza, taho klasico, Bahn Mi Kitchen, Kangkong KING, Pickup Coffee, Hungry Daddy Manila and Curve Coffee Collaborators.(RG)
