A vintage Jayson Castro stepped up in the clutch, drilling a cold-blooded trey as TNT exacted revenge against Converge, 98-91, to get a share of the top spot in Group A in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 8.

On the verge of a huge collapse, Castro took over in the homestretch, nailing a tough step-back triple over Alec Stockton with 1:09 left to help the Tropang Giga create the final separation and improve their record to 5-1, in tie with the Meralco Bolts.

The shot not only saved some blushes for the Tropang Giga who almost squandered a huge 21-point after the FiberXers came within two inside the last two minutes but also served the poetic justice TNT wanted.

With Castro’s clutch trey, the Tropang Giga handed the FiberXers a defeat in a similar fashion when TNT lost to Converge in the first round after a clutch four-pointer from import Scotty Hopson.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dropped 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds as he led the first half onslaught for the Tropang Giga although he got slowed down in the last two quarters.

Good thing, the rest of the locals also stepped up with Rey Nambatac firing 17 points and Castro adding 14.

Calvin Oftana also finished with 14 points, including that last two which he scored on a huge putback layup to keep Converge at bay, 98-91 with 28 seconds left.

After TNT led at its largest at 60-39, Converge suddenly came alive and unloaded a searing 14-3 run to come within striking distance at 10, 63-53.

The Tropang Giga managed to keep themselves afloat and even restore a 78-67 lead heading into the final frame but the FiberXers refused to go down without a fight and cut the deficit down to just two, 93-91 with 1:28 left after a Schonny Winston layup.

That, however, only set the table to Castro’s heroics who turned back the clock and drilled the killing blow.

Justin Arana paced Converge with 16 points while Winston had a big double-double game of 15 points and 13 rebounds. Alec Stockton also had 15 points but it was their import in Hopson was sorely missed in the game.

After exploding for 32 and the game winner in their first meeting, Hopson was held to just 13 points as the FiberXers continued with their free fall, absorbing their third-straight defeat.