MANILA, Philippines – TNT is still affected by a Jayson Castro even though he is not there.

Before the Tropang Giga’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals opener against the Barangay Ginebra Kings, guard Roger Pogoy explained how the team’s deceased leader raised the spirits of the Tropang Giga with his brief words of wisdom.

A few days prior to Game 1, Pogoy and a number of other TNT players visited the team’s longstanding, respected leader at his home in Pampanga, where they were able to speak with him.

Castro tore his patella during the semifinal series against Rain or Shine and is currently recuperating from knee surgery.

After leading the team to the Governors’ Cup title over Ginebra last conference, where he was voted Finals MVP, he was ruled out for the remainder of the season. 

The ‘Blur’ told the guys that they could compete head-to-head with the talented Kings even without him on that trip to Pampanga.

As the Tropang Giga was ready to depart and return to Manila, Roger Pogoy remembered what Jayson Castro had said. He told us to just concentrate on our game and to not be scared to play. He reassured us that we could meet the challenge even without him.

My teammates and I felt more confident after hearing those statements. Castro’s support served as a reminder that we had the abilities and will to overcome any obstacle, even if we already understood that his presence on the floor was crucial. His confidence in us bolstered our determination, giving us the confidence to step up even without him.

I remembered what he had said as we got ready for the games. It served as a reminder that cooperation, trust, and heart are just as important in basketball as individual skill. We were more motivated to give it our all because we knew that a veteran like Castro had faith in us. We were prepared to show that we could handle the challenge, no matter how difficult it was. We were inspired to play with resilience and confidence by his words.

Roger Pogoy set the tone early in the series opener, as the Tropang Giga got out to a fast start, controlling the match right away. Pogoy showed off his skill as a shooter by making all nine of his first-quarter points from beyond the arc, giving his team a decisive lead of 29–18 at the end of the first quarter. It was clear that the team found motivation in supportive remarks, which boosted their self-esteem and aggressive style of play.

With a game-high 34 points and a commanding presence on both ends of the floor, import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson spearheaded the attack in addition to Pogoy’s outstanding shooting. The 32-year-old Cebuano guard, meanwhile, continued to be effective from a distance, scoring 15 points, all of which came from three-point range. Together with the team’s overall effort, his performance was crucial in ensuring the win.

After a fierce battle, TNT prevailed 95-89, showcasing great precision from beyond the arc. In order to keep their advantage over their rivals, the team made the most of their perimeter shooting, making 14 of their 37 three-point tries.

The Tropang Giga’s ability to successfully carry out their game strategy and find strength in the inspirational comments that encouraged them to give their best effort was demonstrated by their triumph. The team knows that confidence, teamwork, and accurate shooting will be crucial components of their championship hopes, so they want to maintain their momentum and keep up their impressive performance as the series goes on.

In the press conference following the game, winning coach Chot Reyes shared his aspirations and emphasized the significance of sustaining their performance. He emphasized that maintaining their shooting was essential to the team’s performance.

Additionally, Jayson Castro’s encouragement of the players contributed to their impressive performance. The crew was inspired by his words, which gave them courage and resolve. They were able to stand up and deliver when it counted most because to his leadership and encouragement. Even from the sidelines, his leadership was crucial in motivating the team to keep going.