Photo credit: PBA

TNT Tropang Giga may be on the verge of sweeping Rain or Shine in their PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals, but they've been dealt a heartbreaking blow—Jayson Castro is out for the rest of Season 49.

The veteran guard, often called the "heart and soul" of TNT, suffered a patellar tendon tear in his right knee during Friday night’s nail-biting 93-91 win at Philsports Arena. With just three minutes left in Game 2, Castro went down after an awkward drive to the basket. The sight of him grimacing in pain on the floor, then being stretchered out, was a gut punch for the team and fans alike.

TNT may have secured the victory, but the mood quickly shifted when the medical report confirmed the worst. Castro will be out for 10-12 months, team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed on Saturday.

At 38 years old, Castro has been a pillar of TNT’s success. He was the Finals MVP when the team won the Governors’ Cup championship last November and has five Best Player of the Conference awards under his belt. In Game 1, he led the charge with 24 points, knocking down six triples. Before his injury in Game 2, he already had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Now, TNT faces a tough road ahead without their long-time leader. Game 3 is set for Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, where the Tropang Giga will try to close out the series—but they'll have to do it without their veteran star.