Jayson Castro

Jayson Castro

No. 17 – Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Position	Combo guard
League	PBA
Personal information
Born	(1986-06-30) June 30, 1986 Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines
Nationality	Filipino
Listed height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Listed weight	185 lb (84 kg)
Career information
College	Philippine Christian University
PBA draft	2008 / Pick: 3rd overall
Selected by the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Pro playing career	2008–present
Career history
2008–present	Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters
Career highlights and awards
3-time NCAA Mythical 5 4-time PBL Mythical 5 3-time PBL MVP PBL Showcase Skills Challenge Champion Brunei Cup MVP 2-time PBA Mr. Quality Minutes Player (2008-09, 2010-11) 2010-11 PBA Philippine Cup Co-Finals MVP (w/ Jimmy Alapag) 2011 PBA Commissioner's Cup Co-Finals MVP (w/ Jimmy Alapag) 2x PBA Mythical Second Team (2010-11, 2011-12) 2010-11 PBA Most Improved Player 2012-13 PBA Philippine Cup Best Player of the Conference Award 2013 FIBA Asia Championship All-Star Selection
Medals Men's Basketball Competitor for  Philippines FIBA Asia Championship Silver 2013 Manila Team

Jayson Castro William^[1][2] (born June 30, 1986 in Pampanga), better known as Jayson Castro, is a Filipino basketball player. He played for the Philippine Christian University Dolphins in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Philippine Basketball League teams Hapee-PCU Teeth Protectors and Harbour Centre Batang Pier. He was supposed to be the first Filipino to play in Australia's National Basketball League for the Singapore Slingers, but the team withdrew from the league before the start of the season. He now plays for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Amateur career

PCU Dolphins

Castro first played for the PCU Dolphins in the NCAA at the 2003 season as a 5'11" point guard. The Dolphins were not able to clinch a Final Four berth, finishing with a 5-9 record.

Things changed on the 2004 season in which PCU was able to make a turnaround with Castro, Gabby Espinas and Robert Sanz at the helm, denying Letran a back-to-back championship run. Holding the twice to beat advantage, the Dolphins needed an extra game that went into overtime to enter the finals. In the championship series against the University of Perpetual Help, the Dolphins swept the best-of-3 finals series to win their first NCAA championship. Castro played second fiddle to both Espinas who won the League MVP award and Sanz, who won the Finals MVP award.

In the 2005 season, the Dolphins went into another Final Four appearance, and they made short work of Mapúa on their way to the Finals were they met Letran once again. The Dolphins won Game 1 behind Castro's game-high 20 points. The Dolphins were beaten by Letran in the next two games as Castro got cold.

In 2006, Castro gave out an all-NCAA team performance as he was named as one of the Mythical 5 members; he and Espinas led PCU to a third consecutive Finals appearance this time against San Beda College. Despite Castro scoring a team-high 16 points, the Dolphins were blown out by the Red Lions on Game 1. Castro's teammates stepped up on Game 2 to force a deciding game. On the third game, with PCU trailing by a point in the dying seconds, Castro passed off the game-winning shot to Beau Belga who missed his jumper to lose the championship for PCU. The Dolphins would be suspended the following year after irregularities on their high school team, thus ending Castro's collegiate career.

Jayson Castro was also part of the NCAA-UAAP all star game for 2 times with Gabby Espinas, Rob Sanz, Ian Garrido, Beau Belga, Joel Solis,Carlos Cecilia, Lei Mar Navarro, Gementiza, Liztian Amparado, Joel Acraman, Cunanan and Ramon Retaga. Coached by Ato Tolentino

Addict Mobile

After a deserving NCAA 2004 Champions and part of the Mythical 5. The Fil-Am Jayson Castro William was headed to the AMP Mobile Phone team, which he was a back up to LA Tenorio. His PCU teammates Gabby Espinas and Rob Sanz, gave their worth talents to remain in the Philippine Basketball League. They were joined by Ateneo Blue Eagles team, composed of Paolo Bugia, LA Tenorio, Magnum Membrere, and company.

Harbour Centre Port Masters

In this time of Jayson Castro's life, he rose to the occasion. Even if he was still a backup to LA Tenorio, he played consistently. He was with Mac Cardona and his former PCU teammates Gabby Espinas, Rob Sanz, Beau Belga, and Joel Solis. Castro was slowly becoming a premiere amateur point guard during this time.

Hapee PCU Teeth Masters/ 2 seasons

He then transferred to Hapee PCU. He remained with the team for a season with Gabby Espinas, Rob Sanz, Joel Solis with Mark Moreño and others. Unfortunately, the team was on a slump making them cellar dwellers on the standings. Hapee PCU had a disastrous season.

Hapee-PCU Teeth Sparklers

After PCU's championship, Lamoiyan Corporation sponsored the core of that team to participate in the PBL as the Hapee-PCU Teeth Sparklers. The Sparklers entered the Finals against the Harbour Centre Batang Pier and were defeated. Hapee made several more playoff runs but were beaten either by Harbour Centre or by Toyota-Otis (ironically mostly composed of Letran players).

Harbour Centre Batang Pier 3 seasons

When PCU was suspended, Castro transferred to Harbour Centre and won 2 championships with them. After 2 conferences of sterling performances, Castro was named as the PBL 2007 Most Valuable Player.^[3] In the next season, Castro and the Batang Pier met Hapee, this time led by Filipino-American Gabe Norwood in both of the season's finals and beat them. Castro was adjudged as the MVP anew, beating Norwood. Proving himself to be a deserving grandslam MVP, he edged Reed Juntilla, Ken Bono, and Norwood in the race.

Professional career

Singapore Slingers

Castro signed with the Singapore Slingers during a televised ceremony in May 2008, and was supposed to be the first Filipino player in the National Basketball League, Australia's top-level professional basketball competition.^[4][5] However, about a month before the start of the season, the Slingers withdrew permanently from the NBL citing excessive transport costs to Australia.

Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters

During his championship career with the Singapore Slingers, he decided to leave the team and joined the PBA. He sent an application to the Philippine Basketball Association enabling him to be included in the draft class of the 2008 PBA Draft at Market! Market! in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Castro was selected as the third overall pick of the Talk n' Text Tropang PhonePals courtesy of a trade that sent superstar Jay Washington to the San Miguel Beermen in exchange for the third pick that turned out to be Castro.

Recently he was awarded by the PSA to be part of the Nation's brightest starsm together with Manny Pacquiao, Manny Pangilinan, Manny Villar, Kelly Williams, Nonito Donaire, Wesley So and Willy Wang. He was also awarded by the PBA to be the Mr. Quality Minutes Player of the year beating Joseph Yeo. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals in the 2008-09 PBA season.

The season’s No. 3 draft pick was No. 7 in assists (3.9), No. 9 in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8)

2010-2011 Philippine Cup Talk N' Text won the championship against the San Miguel Beermen (4-2). He and Jimmy Alapag were titled as co-Finals MVP's.

2010-2011 Commissioner's Cup Talk N' Text won back to back championships against another San Miguel Corporation franchise the Barangay Ginebra Kings. Castro was named the Finals MVP and co-siding again with Jimmy Alapag for two consecutive conferences.

National team

Youth team

Castro was in the roster of the Philippine basketball youth team in 2004.

SEABA and Southeast Asian Games

In the midst of Jayson Castro's third season at Hapee, he was acquired by Junnel Baculli, his coach in PCU, to join the RP team with Marvin Cruz, JC Intal, Ryan Araña, Chad Alonzo, and Beau Belga, with 2 imports. They claimed the SEABA 2006 club championship crown.

In the middle of the 2nd season and 3rd season, he was again acquired. He was with Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga, Chad Alonzo, Eugene Tan, Patrick Cabahug, and Jeff Chan. They reached the finals but were unlucky as they lost the SEABA 2007 club championship crown. Castro was a MVP contender during this time.

Castro was a part of the Philippine national team in the 2007 Southeast Asian Games basketball tournament. The Philippines won the gold medal without losing a game.

2013 FIBA Asia Championship

Jason Castro was part of the Philippines team who won the silver medal in the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship. He was part of the FIBA Mythical Team.

Honors

• 2004-2006 NCAA Mythical 5 Selection
• 2006-07 PBL Mythical 5 Selection
• 2006-07 PBL Most Valuable Player
• 2006-2007 PBL Showcase Skills Challenge Champion
• 2007-08 PBL Mythical 5 Selection
• 2007-2008 PBL Unity Cup Most Valuable Player
• 2007-08 PBL Silver Cup Most Valuable Player
• 2008 Brunei Cup Most Valuable Player
• 2008 Malaysia Basketball League Most Valuable Player playing for the Singapore Slingers
• 2009 Sports Digest PSA Fetes Nation’s Brightest Stars Awardee
• 2009 PBA Mr. Quality Player of the Year
• 2010-2011 Philippine Cup Finals MVP
• 2010-2011 Commissioner's Cup Finals MVP
• 2010-2011 Mythical Second Team Selection
• 2010-2011 PBA Most Improved Player
• 2012-2013 Philippine Cup - Best Player of the Conference
• 2013 FIBA Asia Championship Mythical All-Star Selection - Best Point Guard in Asia
• 2013 PBA First Mythical Team

Statistics

Correct as of November 29, 2012^[6]

Season

References