BACOLOR, PAMPANGA — A kid from Bacolor who started as a risky draft gamble now stands shoulder to shoulder with PBA royalty. Jayson Castro officially entered the league's 10,000-point club on May 13, 2026, becoming only the 17th local player in 50 years to achieve the feat . The 39-year-old TNT Tropang 5G guard reached the mark during a 96-93 quarterfinal win over NLEX at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, sinking a free throw at the 3:25 mark of the third quarter
A Risky Draft Gamble That Paid Off Big
Back in 2008, Talk 'N Text made a bold move that raised eyebrows around the league. The franchise traded its best player, Jay Washington, just to position itself to draft an unknown guard from Philippine Christian University . Head coach Chot Reyes admitted it was a "really big, risky move" at the time. "Who would've known he would be in that elite club of ten thousand points?" Reyes said after Castro's milestone game .
Eighteen years later, that gamble looks like one of the smartest decisions in PBA history. Castro has since piled up 10 championships, three Finals MVPs, and five Best Player of the Conference awards . More than the trophies, his journey from a small-town kid from Bacolor to league legend has inspired countless young Kapampangan ballers dreaming of their own shot at greatness.
Joining Rare Company at Age 39
The numbers behind Castro's achievement tell a story of longevity and excellence. He is only the third-oldest player to reach 10,000 points, trailing Robert Jaworski (43) and Arwind Santos (41) . He also became just the fourth player in the last 25 years to accomplish the feat, joining an exclusive club that spans multiple eras of Philippine basketball . The full list of 10,000-point scorers reads like a who's who of PBA greats: Ramon Fernandez (18,996), Alvin Patrimonio (15,091), James Yap (11,015), and Mark Caguioa (10,075).
For TNT, Castro's milestone holds special meaning. He is only the second player in franchise history to score 10,000 points, cementing his status as the heart and soul of the organization . His plaque ceremony took place at halftime of TNT's next game against NLEX on May 16 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and NLEX team governor Ronald Dulatre presented the award.
Overcoming Injury to Reach the Summit
What makes Castro's achievement even more remarkable is the adversity he overcame to get there. Nearly a year before his 10,000th point, he suffered a serious knee injury that sidelined him until his return in March 2026 . The injury forced him to rethink how he treated his body after years of playing through pain.
"'Yung injury na 'yun, na-realize ko na kailangan ko pa alagaan katawan ko," Castro said after reaching the milestone. "So this time, 'yung katawan ko inaalagaan ko talaga para ma-achieve tong ganitong milestone sa basketball career ko" . That dedication to recovery and conditioning allowed a 39-year-old guard to still compete at an elite level, proving that age is just a number when the heart is willing.
