The presence of Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy will definitely boost TNT’s chances in its playoff bid in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
Castro and Pogoy are not yet 100 percent fit to play, but the two veteran key players have vowed to see action in TNT’s all-important game against Phoenix Super LPG in the final elimination round play date on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Right now, they’re around 60 percent to 65 percent ready, but their presence alone would definitely be a big boost to our team even if they’re not fully recovered,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa. “They’ll have to play on minutes restrictions.”
“Actually, Jayson has been under minutes restrictions for the past two seasons and hasn’t played longer than 25 minutes.”
Castro and Pogoy had started practicing for the Tropang Giga, who are making their last push for the playoffs.
Both players were sidelined by injury and ailment.
Castro has been bothered by tendinitis and has missed the team’ last two games, while Pogoy has yet to play this conference after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
“But Jayson had not been participating fully on scrimmages,” Lastimosa said. “Roger, on the other hand, is still trying to get his conditioning back. But I still believe that a 65 percent Jayson Castro is still one of the best point guards in the PBA today and he and Roger will be a big help for us.”
The Tropang Giga are currently tied with NLEX at eighth to ninth places with identical 4-6 win-loss record.
Should both teams end up tied at the end of the elimination round, a playoff for the last quarterfinals berth will take place and the winner will face top seed Magnolia in the playoffs.
Aside from the return of Castro and Pogoy, TNT will also be pinning its hopes on new import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, who had a sensational debut, scoring 50 points in a 112-119 loss to Rain or Shine last 5 January.
But Lastimosa believes teams had now scouted Hollis-Jefferson, who came in as a replacement for his younger brother, Rondae, who suffered a neck injury in the Tropang Giga’s game in the East Asia Super League last 20 December.
“I told Rahlir that he will not get the same number of looks just like he had during our game with Rain or Shine, so he needs to get his teammates more involved,” Lastimosa said. “So other than Calvin Oftana, we really need our locals to step up and make a contribution.”
