Castro clinches PBL MVP plum

Jason Castro, who failed to give Hapee Toothpaste the PBL title, will have to console himself by winning the MVP award.

Castro, one of the smallest players in the league, earned 579.42 points to beat JR Quiñahan of Mail and More and Marvin Cruz of Toyota Otis, who earned 569.57 and 507.77 points, respectively.

Castro piled up the statistical points throughout the tournament and clinched the award by getting the crucial votes from his fellow players and the media.

He said while it’s an honor winning the MVP award, it was giving his team the title that would have mattered most.

"I’m deeply honored being the league MVP. This is really special," said Castro, who steered the PCU Dolphins to three straight NCAA finals appearance, and the 2004 championship.

"This award is just secondary to me. My main focus was to help the team win the title," said the native of Guagua, Pampanga who idolizes San Miguel point guard Olsen Racela.

Quiñahan, who topped the statistical race, didn’t get enough player and media votes to lose grip on the MVP plum. He and Cruz settled for spots in the Mythical First Team along with Hapee-PCU’s Larry Rodriguez (494.16) and Toyota Otis’ Dennis Daa (428.92), and Castro. – Joey Villar