Castro still Asia’s No. 1 point guard

MANILA, Philippines - No doubt about it, Jayson Castro is Asia’s No. 1 point guard. He was named to the All-Star Five at the end of the recent FIBA Asia Championships in Changsha with China center Yi Jianlian, Iran shooting forward Samad Nikkhah Bahrami, China off-guard Guo Ailun and China power forward Zhou Qi.

While there may be some debate on the other choices, Castro was a lock at point guard in the mythical lineup. It’s the second straight FIBA Asia tournament where the 29-year-old Gilas spitfire was picked as Asia’s top quarterback.

In Changsha, Castro was approached by several scouts and agents, including some from the US, about the possibility of playing

in overseas leagues. But Castro said he has a live contract with Talk ‘N’ Text in the PBA.

His Texters contract expires in August next year and an option to extend has been broached.

In FIBA circles, Castro is known as Jayson William because that’s the name his passport shows. His father Ronald William, an American from Alabama, is divorced from his mother Rosario whose surname he took. When Castro was in Grade 2, his parents left for the US. He stayed behind and was raised by his grandmother Rosalinda and aunt Lolita in Guagua. A sister Nikki joined their parents in the US when she was five. Castro’s mother later remarried and lived in Alabama with her two other children Ronald and Marie until they relocated last year back to Pampanga where he built a house for them.

Castro learned to play the game in sandlots in Guagua and honed his skills with the high school varsity in Bacolor. He was brought to the Philippine Christian University by former national cager Richie Melencio’s uncle and recruited by Bong Sales to play for coach Jimmy Mariano as a rookie. Castro went on to play on the PCU squad that won the NCAA title under coach Ato Tolentino in 2004 with teammates Gabby Espinas, Rob Sanz and Beau Belga.

From PCU, Castro saw action in the PBL where he was a three-time MVP. He was on the way to become the first Filipino to suit up in the Australian circuit when his team, the Singapore Slingers, backed out of playing in the National Basketball League a month before the season started because of financial issues.

With two PBL titles for Harbour Centre under his belt, Castro jumped to the PBA where he was Talk ‘N’ Text’s third overall draft pick behind Gabe Norwood and Jared Dillinger in 2008. He has now played seven seasons with the Texters, picking up six titles in the process. Castro is still chasing his first season MVP trophy but has been named Finals MVP twice, Mr. Quality Minutes twice, Best Player of the Conference thrice and Most Improved Player once. He has been honored as one of the PBA’s 40 greatest players. Last season, Castro averaged 18.04 points to rank second in local scoring behind Terrence Romeo. He was first in three-point field goal accuracy (42.01 percent) and second in average assists (5.13).

Playing for the national team is a calling Castro will never turn down. He played on the Philippine squad that took the gold medal at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games and has been a Gilas fixture since the 2013 FIBA Asia Championships. Castro, however, missed playing at the Asian Games in Incheon last year due to injury. “Jayson is committed to play for our country, no matter what,” said

his agent Danny Espiritu. “He was on the youth team, played in the SEABA Championships and also in the SEA Games. Being the top point guard in Asia is an honor not only for Jayson but also for the country. He is proud to be Filipino.”

At Talk ‘N’ Text this season, Castro will be reunited with his good friend and Philippine youth teammate Dylan Ababou. Before joining the PBA, Castro named Ababou as his best friend who has always given him good advice. Castro got to play with one of his favorite players Willie Miller last season so that boyhood dream came true.

At the recent FIBA Asia Championships, Castro said the title game against China was definitely winnable. With a few more pieces, he said the Philippines could’ve brought down China for the gold. “Let’s face it, our team wasn’t complete,” said Espiritu. “We could’ve used more shooters. But give credit to the 12 men, they gave it their all. They made us proud.”

Castro averaged 16.7 points and ranked fifth in overall field goal marksmanship at 51.9 percent in nine games in Changsha. Only two other Gilas players averaged in double figure points, Andray Blatche 17.8 and Romeo 12.2. Whether he is called William or Castro, it was clear that The Blur had no equal at the point guard position in the last two FIBA Asia Championships.