MANILA -- The TNT Tropang 5G will once again be missing the services of veteran point guard Jayson Castro in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup as he continues to recover from injury.
Castro was in attendance with his team at the PBA Media Day on Thursday, but TNT head coach Chot Reyes said he will not be suiting up for the season-opening conference.
The TNT veteran is still recovering from the patellar tendon tear he suffered in his right knee last February.
READ: Jayson Castro out for rest of season after suffering patellar tendon injury
READ: Jayson Castro signs off from season with Player of the Week nod
"First major injury ko ito. Pero yun nga may mga activity na naiilang pa. But hopefully this coming last quarter ng taon na ito medyo gumanda na takbo ko. Pero maganda yung recovery and even yung doctor namin, yung mga PT sinasabi na mabilis healing ko," he said.
As he continues the road to recovery, Castro said he is determined to make a comeback in the PBA.
"Mas gusto namin na 100% ako kapag bumalik. Hindi yung nandiyan ka nga pero hindi ka naman 100% mas mahirap," he said.
"Hindi ko akalain na ganun pala ka-intensive pag may major injury ka yung mga workout. Kasi this is my first ma-surgery. Pero I'm okay naman. I think makakabalik ako 100% and yun nga mas determined. Alam kong di pa tapos career ko," Castro added.
The veteran point guard also took the opportunity to commend his former Gilas Pilipinas backcourt partner, LA Tenorio, who will now transition from player to head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots.
"To be honest sobrang happy ako sa kanya. Madalang lang yun eh from player to coach kaagad, yung transition na yun. And sobrang happy ako kasi nakita ko siya during our college kasi teammate ko siya nung PBL days and national team. Nakita ko kung gaano siya kagaling na player," he said.
"Yung basketball IQ niya sobrang taas so bagay na bagay talaga siya mag head coach. Yun nga iba yung head coach at iba yung player but I think makaka-adjust siya kaagad," Castro shared.
When asked if he has any plans to follow suit, Castro said he is still enjoying his time on the court as a player.
"To be honest nag-eenjoy pa ako as a player. I think yung competitiveness ko nandun pa. I think blessing din yung na-injury ako na nakapag-pahinga ako para maka-recover. And at the same time, maramdam ko ulit yung eagerness na bumalik," he added.
Since Castro will not yet be suiting up for TNT, the veteran believes his teammates, including the new faces will help the team achieve its goal to win a championship.
READ: Rey Nambatac dedicates Finals MVP to 'mentor' Jayson Castro
He said the new additions will help add depth to the team, which was plagued with injuries in the last season.
"Maganda kasi maraming free agent na kinuha si Coach na makatulong sa amin especially on defense. Kasi yun naman yung number one goal naman is to play defense para manalo ng games. And then mag-add ng another length para makatulong kay Poy and kay Kelly. I think si Henry, after ng rookie year niya, during training camp maganda pinapakita niya," he said.
"Maganda kasi nakita naman natin na during last conference, last season, nung playoffs medyo nauubos na mga players ang daming injuries eh. Pero yun nga nag-add ng mga another young guys si coach para sa mga pang-haba, pang-stretch ng mga veterans namin. Kasama na ako dun," Castro said.
When asked about the elusive grand slam, Castro said they will take it one game at a time.