“Career is not over yet”: Jayson Castro to miss PBA Philippine Cup due to injury

TNT Tropang Giga veteran Jayson Castro will miss the upcoming 50th season of the PBA Philippine Cup as he continues to recover from a serious knee injury sustained earlier this year. 

Despite concerns raised in May when Castro was moved to the Unrestricted Free Agent list, it has since been clarified that the move was part of a mutual agreement between the team and the player as he undergoes rehabilitation.

The 38-year-old sustained a significant right knee injury during Game 2 of TNT’s semifinal series against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last conference. Reports at the time estimated a six-month recovery period, effectively ruling him out for the start of the historic 50th PBA season.

TNT head coach Chot Reyes has confirmed that the longtime team captain will sit out the Philippine Cup, but expressed confidence in Castro’s return for the season’s two remaining conferences.

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Despite the setback, Castro is determined to come back stronger — and made it clear that retirement is not yet on the table.

“First major injury ko ito. Pero yun nga may mga activity na naiilang pa. But hopefully this coming last quarter ng taon na ito medyo gumanda na takbo ko. Pero maganda yung recovery and even yung doctor namin, yung mga PT sinasabi na mabilis healing ko,” Castro shared.

“Mas gusto namin na 100% ako kapag bumalik. Hindi yung nandiyan ka nga pero hindi ka naman 100% mas mahirap. Hindi ko akalain na ganun pala ka-intensive pag may major injury ka yung mga workout. Kasi this is my first ma-surgery. Pero I’m okay naman. I think makakabalik ako 100% and yun nga mas determined. Alam kong di pa tapos career ko.”

WATCH: Jayson Castro determined for PBA comeback: ‘Hindi pa tapos yung career ko’ https://t.co/InI6QclJoD

— Rappler (@rapplerdotcom) September 25, 2025

Castro’s firm declaration stands in contrast to several other PBA veterans who have recently decided to hang up their sneakers. The likes of Ryan Reyes, Sean Anthony, and Ping Exciminiano have all retired ahead of the league’s 50th season. Most notably, LA Tenorio, one of Castro’s longtime contemporaries and former Gilas Pilipinas teammate, has also called time on his playing career, moving into coaching as the new head coach of the Magnolia Hotshots.

Castro, however, remains focused on playing — and took time to praise Tenorio for his smooth transition from player to coach.

“To be honest sobrang happy ako sa kanya. Madalang lang yun eh from player to coach kaagad, yung transition na yun. And sobrang happy ako kasi nakita ko siya during our college kasi teammate ko siya nung PBL days and national team. Nakita ko kung gaano siya kagaling na player.

“Yung basketball IQ niya sobrang taas sa bagay na bagay talaga siya mag head coach. Yun nga iba yung head coach at iba yung player but I think makaka-adjust siya kaagad.”

Despite being among the league’s elder statesmen, Castro says the fire still burns.

“To be honest nag-eenjoy pa ako as a player. I think yung competitiveness ko nandun pa. I think blessing din yung na-injury ako na nakapag-pahinga ako para maka-recover. And at the same time, maramdam ko ulit yung eagerness na bumalik.”

A third overall pick in the 2008 PBA Draft, Castro has spent his entire career with TNT, carving out a legendary résumé. His accolades include:

• 10× PBA Champion 
• 5× PBA Best Player of the Conference 
• 3× PBA Finals MVP 
• 9× PBA All-Star 
• 2014 PBA Scoring Champion 
• 2011 PBA Most Improved Player 

Known as “The Blur” for his speed and explosiveness, Castro has long been a cornerstone for TNT and Philippine basketball, including multiple stints with Gilas Pilipinas.

While his absence will certainly be felt during the Philippine Cup, Castro’s mindset remains locked in on a full-strength return.

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