Gilas Pilipinas will likely go on its mission in the Southeast Asian Games on home ground without veteran internationalist Jayson Castro.
Castro sustained a calf injury (soleus muscle strain) during TNT KaTropa's 113-126 loss to NLEX last Friday and will be out of action for some four weeks, leaving Gilas coach Tim Cone with little hope of having the influential guard at his disposal in the SEAG.
"We had some bad news today. I think Jayson's gonna have to step away from the Gilas team. He's got a four to six weeks of recovery so you know, I don't see him being able to get ready in time to come and play so we're down to 14 players," said Cone.
The grand-slam PBA coach was very much looking forward to working with Asia's best point guard for the very first time but this won't happen yet in the Nov. 30-Dec. 11 SEAG.
"Obviously losing a guy like Jayson is a huge, huge blow. He's one of the guys I'm looking forward to coaching and relying on. So it's tough news, but tougher for him to come back from," said Cone.
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The Gilas mentor said at this point, the team hasn't decided yet if it will stick with the remaining 14 or fill up the 15th slot in the pool. "We'll make a decision later on," he said.
Castro, according to TNT manager Gabby Cui, needs rest and rehab for three to four weeks.
The injury of Castro, who had unretired from national team duties to help Cone in the SEAG campaign, put him out of consideration for the Final 12, admitted Cone.
"I don't see how he can. If he makes the minimum time back, it means he's coming back Nov. 26 or 27 and then that will be like three days before the tournament starts. That is, if he's healthy, you know, he has to get in shape, he has to play, and so I don't think he can. If he's five weeks, then he's out; six weeks, we're already done, so it's basically a four-to-six week injury.
"But we'll talk to Dr (George) Canlas and hear what he has to say as well before we make the final ruling on whether we need to look for somebody else or consider playing without him," he said.
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Cone can't hide his pain as he shared this unfortunate development.
"Like I said, it's a huge blow for us, huge. he's so respected amongst the 15 guys there, he's so respected." (OL)
