At 38, Jayson Castro is Finals MVP again: 'Hangga’t nandito ako, ibibigay ko 'yung best ko'

At the age of 38, Jayson Castro is still winning individual awards in the PBA.

Castro on Friday was named as Most Valuable Player of the PBA Governors' Cup Finals series as TNT defeated Barangay Ginebra in Game 6 to defend the title.

In the six-game series, the TNT veteran posted averages of 10.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 5.1 assists as he became the oldest PBA Finals MVP. The previous record was held by LA Tenorio who won it in 2020 when he was 36 years old.

At this stage of his career, Castro said the title was special.

"Sobrang special kasi nandun na ako sa latter part na… ilang years na lang [sa career]. Pero 'yun nga, sabi ko naman sa management and sa mga teammate ko, hangga’t andito ako ibibigay ko 'yung best ko," Castro said.

"At the same time, inaalagaan ko naman 'yung katawan ko. Hindi lang 'yung katawan, pati 'yung mental. I think kaya ko pang makipag-compete."

Add to that, TNT underwent major adjustments in the recent conferences with the likes of Mikey Williams' absence and the inclusion of Rey Nambatac.

"Kung sino yung nandito na capable naman, ito na lang 'yung asahan namin. I think nag-work naman and I think malaking tulong talaga si Rey sa amin. Hindi lang malaking tulong, malaking part siya ng team talaga kasi 'yung naibigay niya sa amin [ay] malaking bagay."

Castro also credited his teammates for his performance.

"'Yung [Finals] MVP na 'yun hindi lang ako. As a team talaga 'yun kasi kung makikita niyo naman, even sa Best Player of the Conference, wala sa aming candidate kasi we play as a team. 'Yun ang ano namin, kung sino ang swerte, susuportahan namin. Kung sino ang maganda ang laro, susuportahan namin. At the same time, lahat kami, kung makita niyo ang minutes namin saka ang score namin, [naka-] spread lahat. So, ang MVP na 'yun para sa akin hindi ako 'yun, kundi ang buong team."

This is Castro's third PBA Finals MVP award, with the previous two in the 2010-11 Philippine and 2011 Commissioner's Cup. He shared those awards with Jimmy Alapag.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News