PROOF they are one with injured leader Jayson Castro, the TNT Tropang Giga showed up for Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals series with the no. 17 patched up on the right side of their uniform in honor of the veteran point guard.
The team did the act two days after Castro had a successful surgery on his patella tendon tear on the right knee.
"His number stitched to our jerseys is a statement enough," said TNT coach Chot Reyes in expounding the Tropang Giga's unqualified support to their long-time acknowledged leader.
TNT took it even one step further as it bounced back against Rain or Shine Wednesday night, 93-85, and moved within the threshold of making it back to the finals after taking a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Calvin Oftana led the way for the team with 26 points on 12-of-21 shooting, and added three rebounds, and four assists.
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He later said the Tropang Giga are dedicating all of their games in the conference to the 38-year-old Castro.
"Itong remaining games namin ino-offer namin sa kanya. Big factor si Kuya Jayson sa amin, pero it's not just one person who should fill up sa shoes ni kuya Jayson. It should be us as a team," said Oftana.
Castro injured his right knee in the remaining minutes of TNT's 93-91 Game 2 win last week at the Philsports Arena.
He's been ruled out for the rest of the season and had surgery last Sunday.
"He's now going through the long process of recovery and rehab. It's going to take at least a year. So next year na natin makikita si Jayson," said Reyes.
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Castro averaged 10.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.2 steals per game before going down with the injury. (RG)
