TNT KaTropa's Jayson Castro (Photo from Castro's Facebook page)
MANILA -- Don't expect Jayson Castro to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the FIBA World Cup.
No less than "The Blur" himself confirmed on Friday night that he will beg off from national team duties.
"I want to focus on my family because it has been almost seven years of non-stop basketball," said the TNT guard, who recently married his longtime fiance Lyle.
The 32-year-old Castro, tagged as among the best point guards in Asia in modern-day basketball, has been with the national team since his RP Youth days in 2004 and has been with the current incarnation of the Philippines' men's basketball squad, Gilas, since 2013.
But for him, it's now time for the upcoming hoops stars to shine.
"It's time to give it to the younger guys and I see that they are ready," Castro added.
He even hinted that his international basketball career is now done.
"Maybe," Castro answered when asked if he is leaving Gilas for good.
Gilas coach Yeng Guiao somehow saw it coming.
"He has been serving the national team for quite a while. I don't think we can say anything against him thinking about taking a break," Guiao said.
Castro also said that he made Guiao and the entire Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas aware of his decision to sit out the FIBA worlds, but Guiao is ready to let Kiefer Ravena take over the point guard chores.
Ravena, Guiao's player at NLEX, was suspended for 18 months after his food supplement tested positive for prohibited substances, but the ban ends on August 24, just in time for the FIBA worlds.
In fact, Ravena is set to be cleared for practice with any club by Monday night, the next time Gilas holds practice. (PNA)
