TNT's Jayson Castro missed two potential game-winning three-pointers in Game 2. ABS-CBN Sports
MANILA, Philippines – TNT veteran Jayson Castro was unruffled after the KaTropa failed to complete a come-from-behind win against San Miguel in Game 2 of the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup finals on Wednesday.
TNT worked their way back from a 17-point deficit in the first half, and had their chances to win in regulation and again in the first overtime. But San Miguel made enough plays down the stretch to hack out the 127-125 win, thus tying the best-of-7 series at one game apiece.
"For me at saka para sa team, hindi naman tough loss 'yun kasi binigay namin 'yung best namin," said Castro, who had 27 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds in the defeat.
"We're down by (17 points) during the (second) quarter, and then nahabol namin," he pointed out. "So, parang isa lang 'yung naano namin, na kaya naming manalo sa kanila."
They could have won in the first overtime period, but missed free throws by Brian Heruela and Troy Rosario left the door open for San Miguel, and Alex Cabagnot scored the game-tying lay-up with nine-tenths of a second left.
In the second overtime, it was San Miguel's turn to give TNT a chance to win, as June Mar Fajardo split his free throws to give the Beermen a two-point lead. But Castro misfired on back-to-back three-pointers, and San Miguel escaped with the exhausting victory.
Castro was not too torn up about his missed shots, saying, "'Yun 'yung binigay nila eh. Sa akin naman, kung ano lang binibigay nila, 'yun lang kinukuha ko."
"And then wide open three, wide open naman, so 'yun," he added.
For Castro, the KaTropa have no reason to be down after the loss, as they managed to stay toe to toe with the Beermen even after the ejection of import Terrence Jones late in the first overtime, and after Troy Rosario fouled out in the second overtime period.
"Even na na-eject sila, at saka na-foul out si Troy, andoon pa rin kami sa game eh," Castro pointed out. "We have a chance pa rin na manalo. 'Yung last shot ko hindi lang pumasok."
"We're okay, and then, we are very confident pa rin na kaya naming manalo sa kanila," he added.
Castro also credited San Miguel for making the necessary adjustments after getting blown out in Game 1. Now, it is TNT's turn to correct their mistakes ahead of Friday's Game 3.
"Ganoon naman sa series, 'di ba," said Castro. "'Di mo lahat naman mako-control, may mga breaks of the game. Para din sa akin at saka sa mga players namin, kailangan naming matuto sa mga ganitong sitwasyon."
"At the same time, mag-move on na lang, mag-prepare para sa Game 3. Then 'yun nga, must-win para sa 'min 'yung Game 3," he said.
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