Jayson Castro happy to be back with Gilas Pilipinas under Cone

It was not difficult to convince Jayson Castro to come back to Gilas Pilipinas for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Head coach Tim Cone said Castro loves the national team and he feels like he will always answer the call when needed.

Castro is back in his duties with the national team after Cone selected him to be part of the 15-man pool for the SEA Games which will be hosted by the Philippines in December. Cone said he feels like Castro wanted to help after the Philippines went winless in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

“I think he felt that maybe the young guns need to come in and start taking his place and I think that it was kind of a realization for him watching that how much he was missed in that lineup and the leadership. He is still Asia’s best guard. I think when he was approached again to come in and join us, I think he is willing to do it. He knows he can contribute and he can be a great help to lead this team,” said Cone in a report by SPIN.ph.

Castro is excited to finally be coached by one of the best coaches in the Philippines. The guard from TNT said he is happy with how the first practice with Cone went as he tries to learn immediately in preparation for the SEA Games.

“Sobrang detalyado siya, every movement ine-explain, which is sobrang helpful sa player, yung mga ganoong coach, minsan mo lang maging coach kaya i-aabsorb mo lahat. First time kay coach Tim, kahit sa All Star games magkalaban pa rin kami. ngayon magkasama sa Gilas,” said Castro in an interview with PBA.ph.

“Sobrang saya kasi hindi ko na-imagine na dito kami magkikita kita ulit kasi outside basketball na lang kami nagkikita-kita. Kaya pagdating dito sa practice, parang naalala namin ulit lahat so masaya ako,” Castro added.

PHOTO: PBA Images