Jayson Castro in need of rest due to nagging Achilles injury

MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro will be giving in to rest for the next few days as he tries to heal a nagging right Achilles injury. 

The veteran Tropang TNT guard aggravated the right Achilles he injured since before the 2014 FIBA World Cup where he played for national team Gilas Pilipinas. He said the pain kept coming back through TNT’s title run last season and until now in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. 

“Namamaga siya, may kaunting tear pero hindi naman ganoon ka-grabe (It’s swollen, there’s a slight tear but it’s not that alarming),” he said following TNT’s tough loss at the hands of the Star Hotshots, 96-88, on Sunday, March 6. 

“I’ve been insistent on playing to help the team. But this time I think I really need to rest,” he added in Filipino. 

Pain killers and consistent rehab have allowed Castro to play for TNT and for Gilas during the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship. This time, though, the medication is no longer enough to mask the pain. 

“This time sobrang hindi na kaya yung sakit talaga (I couldn’t take the pain anymore),” he admitted. 

When asked if surgery would be an option, Castro said, “Sana wala naman kasi this time iba na yung sakit e. Sana.” (I hope not but this time the pain is different. I hope not.)

Castro will likely also not suit up for Gilas practice on Monday, March 7. 

The 29-year-old finished Sunday’s game with a team-high 18 points and 3 assists as he shot 9-of-17 from the field. He missed two crucial free throws which could have tied the game with two minutes left to play.

Castro, who sat out Saturday’s TNT practice to rest, played for close to 37 minutes but hopped on one foot to the bench inside the final minute after what coach Jong Uichico described as a “misstep” during a play. 

“He’s okay. He’s alright,” Uichico told reporters. 

TNT’s next game is on Sunday, March 13 against the NLEX Road Warriors. Castro is still uncertain whether he’ll be able to play especially as their title defense is in jeopardy with a 2-4 record so far.

“I hope I can play but I was told I really need to rest,” Castro said. “But our record is bad so I really want to play, I want to help the team.” – Rappler.com