Jayson Castro finally gets his due

Prior to Game 4 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, the PBA presented the Best Player of the Conference (BPC) Award. There were five players considered for the award, namely Calvin Abueva of Alaska, Ranidel de Ocampo of Talk ‘N Text, Arwind Santos of Petron, Sol Mercado of Meralco, and Jayson Castro, also of Talk ‘N Text. When the winner’s name was called, the smallest man in the list was crowned the Conference’s best. Castro, who averaged about fifteen points per game, had won his first BPC Award.

Of course, Castro’s team still had some unfinished business, needing just one more to win it all. Just a couple of hours after Castro received his BPC Award, the Tropang Texters indeed capped off a sweep of the Rain or Shine Elastopainters and garnered the perpetual trophy for having won the Philippine Cup for the third straight year. De Ocampo was named the Finals MVP, but the entire TNT team, including Coach Norman Black, was the real winner – a team with such excellent, first-class components that work together so intricately, such that the whole is truly greater than its parts.

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In the middle of all of the success that TNT has had in recent seasons, has been Castro. We call him “The Blur”, because he is simply the fastest player in the league, without a doubt. He can run up and down the court more swiftly than anyone, and his quickness from point A to point B is unparalleled. He is shifty, flexible, athletic, strong and smart. Quite simply, he is among the biggest keys to TNT’s success since nobody can guard him one on one, mainly because nobody can keep up with him. He is one of the best at getting all the way to the rim to finish, he can hit perimeter jumpers, and even extend his range beyond the rainbow arc. He can rebound and pass the ball, too.

Why, then, is Castro not one of the first names that come to mind in conversations about the best players in the PBA? Except for those who watch the PBA, particularly TNT, regularly, the tendency is to name players from other teams, and maybe about five other Texters, before recalling Castro.

Is it because of his size? Is it because, even if he starred and won a championship in the NCAA, the team he won it with (Philippine Christian University) no longer competes in the NCAA? Is it because he was a multi-awardee in a league that does not anymore exist (Philippine Basketball League)? Maybe it’s because his stats are not eye-popping. Sure, he occasionally has thirty-point nights, but usually he will be among a handful of TNT players in double figures as part of their “share-the-ball” system. He doesn’t hit many three-pointers, but he could. He doesn’t make spectacular dunks, but he doesn’t need to. He just gets the job done in any which way he can.

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Whenever I commentate on a TNT game, when TNT wins, Castro’s name is always among our candidates for Player of the Game. His presence is always felt, and his impact, although not always reflected on the stat sheet, is significant.

It is hard to believe that Castro has never been voted to play in the All-Star Game since he entered the PBA in 2008. He is just not as popular as many other players. Does he deserve to be an All-Star? Many of his teammates think he should have been a many-time All-Star by now. I agree. They know his value and what he can do. The best thing about Castro is that he is humble and soft-spoken, but deep inside, he knows his value and what he can do as well. He is confident, but not arrogant. He doesn’t talk trash, but he’ll leave you in the dumps with a quick move to the basket.

In the past, Castro has been named Co-Finals MVP twice (2011 Philippine Cup and 2011 Commissioner’s Cup, both times with another big little man, Jimmy Alapag), which clearly shows that he can rise to the occasion under the brightest lights and in pressure situations. He has been adjudged a Most Improved Player (2011), and a Mythical Second Team Member (2011, 2012). This Conference just ended and he was voted as its best player, the one who shone brightest for its duration. Despite this, it seems Castro is still under-appreciated, but surely, he has made his mark. As his star continues to grow, many more will know his name and his capabilities. He should star for the national team very soon. The BPC Award merely emphasizes what I have known for some time – he’s one of the best in the game right now.

TNT prides itself on team accomplishments. Individual awards, they say, are just icing on the cake. Their goal is to win, to collect championship trophies, and for this current bunch of players, they already have that, but still want more. Castro will surely find himself in the thick of every TNT battle. I heard the team partied until the wee hours of the morning after winning the Philippine Cup trophy once again. For Castro, the entire conference was his party, i.e., his coming out party. Spread the word! We’ve got a great one here!

(Congratulations to the TNT Tropang Texters for winning the Philippine Cup Championship, to Jayson for being named BPC and to Ranidel for being named Finals MVP. Kudos also to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters for making the Finals in back-to-back conferences. The PBA Commissioner’s Cup starts on 8 February 2013.)

You can follow Charlie on Twitter @Charlie C.

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.