TRULY, Jayson Castro is aging like a fine wine.
The veteran guard turned back the hands of time and emerged the PBA Finals MVP during the Governors' Cup title series which TNT won over Barangay Ginebra Friday night.
Castro was the unanimous choice for the award handed out by the PBA Press Corps and presented by Honda, beating out teammates Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy.
At 38, he became the oldest player to win the coveted individual honor, surpassing Barangay Ginebra guard and close pal LA Tenorio, who was 36 years of age when he was named Finals MVP during the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble in Clark, Pampanga.
Castro averaged 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in the six-game series, while providing the experience and leadership in steering TNT to its 10th PBA championship.
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In the series-clinching win before a crowd of 14,668 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the native of Bacolor, Pampanga finished with 13 points, six assists, and two rebounds as the Tropang Giga came from behind, 95-85.
Castro's assists to fellow veteran Kelly Williams for a reverse layup gave TNT a 91-85 cushion in the final 1:20 of Game 6.
"Sobrang na-appreciate koi to. Sa age kong ganito," said Asia's two-time best point guard.
This marked the third Finals MVP for Castro, but first in 13 years or since winning the same honor during the 2011 Commissioner's Cup title series.
According to league chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, 'The Blur' is the seventh player to win Finals MVP at least three times along with former MVPs Eric Menk and Danny Ildefonson.
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Eighth-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, Tenorio, James Yap, and Danny Seigle each won the award four times.(RG)
