Jason Castro quick to allay fans' fears after injury scare: 'Pagpag lang 'yan'

JASON Castro was quick to allay fans' fears over the sprained ankle he suffered in a friendly against Kazakhstan on Friday night, saying he can easily shake it off in time for the Fiba-Asia championships.

Castro got a scare at the Smart Araneta Coliseum just days before the Fiba-Asia Championship when the hard-nosed guard appeared to have rolled his right ankle in the waning moments of Gilas 92-89 win over the tall and physical Kazakhs.

Although he walked back to the bench without needing assistance, Castro was visibly in pain following the fall after a collision with Mikhail Yevstigneyev with only 1:36 left in the fourth. (For full game story, see Castro responds to Chot tirade with masterful showing in Gilas win over Kazakhs)

But Castro, who finished with 20 points, was quick to assure fans that he will be fit to play for Gilas in the Asian championships regardless of what doctors will say when he undergoes a check-up on Saturday.

“Nothing to worry naman,” said Castro after emerging from the dugout. “Alam niyo naman ako, pagpag lang. At saka, andyan na eh, laro lang ng laro.”

Aside from the ankle, Castro said that he is also nursing an injured finger.

“Masakit pa rin pero okay lang, wala naman tayong magagawa,” said Castro.

In contrast, Ranidel De Ocampo is keeping his fingers crossed that his ankle injury isn’t serious. He played for only six minutes after sustaining the injury in his right ankle.

Like Castro, De Ocampo said that he will have his ankle checked.

“Nalungkot ako kasi matagal ko nang pinaghandaan ito so sana hindi naman grabe dahil pinaghirapan natin ito. Alam mo naman ako lalaro talaga, pero sobrang sakit kanina, hindi ako makatakbo,” De Ocampo said.

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