Castro is still Asia's best point guard

Jayson Castro is still Asia’s best point guard after steering the Philippines to a silver medal finish in the FIBA Asia Championship.

The spitfire player was again named to FIBA Asia’s Mythical Five after the Philippines' title clash against eventual champion China on Saturday. China won 78-67.

Castro was also chosen as Asia’s top point guard in the 2013 edition of FIBA Asia where Gilas also finished second.


Other players on this year's Mythical Five are Iran’s Samad Bahrami, and China’s Zhou Qui, Ailun Guo and Jianlian Yi.

Yi was named Most Valuable Player (MVP).

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Talk 'N Text beat Barako to move to 4-0

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters held off repeated rallies by the Barako Bull Energy to keep their record intact with a 101-96 win in the PBA Commissioners Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jayson Castro had 25 points for TNT while import Richard Howell added 23 points, and three other Texters scored in double-digits.

Barako had a slim 68-67 lead after the third quarter, but Talk ‘N Text took the lead for good early in the final period off three free throws from Nino Canaleta.

The Energy made repeated rallies behind their import, Josh Dollard, but the Texters answered with key baskets from Larry Fonacier and Castro, while also making their charities to keep Barako at bay.

Dollard finished with 33 points for Barako, but it was not enough as the Energy slumped to their third defeat in four outings.

Ronjay Buenafe added 18 points, Denok Miranda had 14, and JC Intal scored 13 for Barako Bull.

The scores:

TALK N' TEXT 101 - Castro 25, Howell 23, Canaleta 18, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 11, Alapag 6, Williams 2, Aban 0, Reyes 0, Baclao 0, Carey 0.

BARAKO 96 - Dollard 33, Buenafe 18, Miranda 14, Intal 13, Miller 11, Pennisi 3, Jensen 2, Pena 2, Deutchman 0, Fortuna 0, Marcelo 0.

Quarterscores: 24-30, 45-48, 67-68, 101-96

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Castro wins first Best Player award

MANILA, Philippines – Talk ‘N Text guard Jayson Castro was the overwhelming choice for the Best Player of the Conference plum in the recently concluded PBA Philippine Cup, besting four other candidates including his own teammate.

Castro clinched the Best Player crown after tallying 1, 146 votes. His teammate, Ranidel de Ocampo, was second in the voting with 730 votes, while Alaska’s super rookie Calvin Abueva was third with 612 votes.

Arwind Santos of Petron Blaze finished with 520 votes, while Meralco’s Sol Mercado wound up with 437.

Casto ranked fourth in terms of statistical points (SPs), but garnered the most votes among players, the PBA and the media.

Castro received the award before Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. He went on to score six points as the Texters swept the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to clinch their third straight All Filipino title.

It is the first Best Player award for Castro, who has previously won the Finals Most Valuable Player award twice.

source: abs-cbnnews.com