By MARK REY MONTEJO
Veteran guard Jayson Castro of the TNT Tropang Giga is undoubtedly one of the best point guards to ever step on the PBA floor, and seeing how Ginebra RJ Abarrientos dazzles everyone these days reminds him of his early days in the pro league.
And that brought a sweet smile on his face as he recalled how delighted he was each time he made one spectacular move to the basket against the league’s established guards then.
Castro, 38, can also hit from afar, making one of the deadliest guards of his generation.
And he sees his old self from the sensational 25-year-old Ginebra rookie guard – quick, graceful and deadly.
Though the Tropang Giga are well ahead – 2-0 – in their Governors’ Cup best-of-seven final showdown with the Gin Kings, Castro has high regard for Abarrientos, claiming he’s better than him compare to his rookie days.
Humble as ever, that was understandable.
“Mas magaling sya sa akin. Kung makikita nyo ‘yong rookie year ko saka rookie year nya, sobrang mas high-level ‘yong pagka-rookie nya eh,” said Castro after the Tropang Giga’s 96-84 win over the Kings Wednesday evening, Oct. 30, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Given na ‘yon diba? Kasi nakita naman natin si RJ, sobrang galing talaga nya, hindi lang dito pati sa [South] Korea. Sya pa nga ‘yong nag-rookie of the year [do’n], diba?” he added.
Abarrientos was one of the key players for the Gin King starting from the elimination up to the playoffs, becoming a great complement to Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee in distributing the ball.
Selected by Ginebra in the first round as third overall pick, the KBL Rookie of the Year displayed great poise where the country’s best coaches and cagers clash, which proved that Abarrientos is a threat in spite of playing in his freshman season.
“For sure, maraming pahihirapan ‘yong bata na ‘yon. After two to three years, makikita natin kung paano nya i-dominate ‘yong guard position,” the Asia’s two-time best point guard continued.
“Kasi ngayon palang makikita mo na [kung paano sya maglaro],” he added.
Recently, Abarrientos praised and shared his experience of facing his idol Castro, who, for his part, appreciated it.
“Sobrang thankful din ako… ‘yon nga ‘yong respect na ganun. As a veteran, diba?” Castro said.
“’Di nya [lang] natatanong, gustong-gusto ko sya paano maglaro.”
