PCU Dolphins
Castro first played for the PCU Dolphins in the NCAA at the 2003 season as a 5'11" point guard. The Dolphins were not able to clinch a Final Four berth, finishing with a 5-9 record.
Things changed on the 2004 season in which PCU was able to make a turnaround with Castro, Gabby Espinas and Robert Sanz at the helm, denying Letran a back-to-back championship run. Holding the twice to beat advantage, the Dolphins needed an extra game that went into overtime to enter the finals. In the championship series against the University of Perpetual Help, the Dolphins swept the best-of-3 finals series to win their first NCAA championship. Castro played second fiddle to both Espinas who won the League MVP award and Sanz, who won the Finals MVP award.
In the 2005 season, the Dolphins went into another Final Four appearance, and they made short work of Mapúa on their way to the Finals were they met Letran once again. The Dolphins won Game 1 behind Castro's game-high 20 points. The Dolphins were beaten by Letran in the next two games as Castro got cold.
In 2006, Castro gave out an all-NCAA team performance as he was named as one of the Mythical 5 members; he and Espinas led PCU to a third consecutive Finals appearance this time against San Beda College. Despite Castro scoring a team-high 16 points, the Dolphins were blown out by the Red Lions on Game 1. Castro's teammates stepped up on Game 2 to force a deciding game. On the third game, with PCU trailing by a point in the dying seconds, Castro passed off the game-winning shot to Beau Belga who missed his jumper to lose the championship for PCU. The Dolphins would be suspended the following year after irregularities on their high school team, thus ending Castro's collegiate career.
Jason Castro was also part of the NCAA-UAAP all star game for 2 times with Gabby Espinas, Rob Sanz, Ian Garrido, Beau Belga, Joel Solis,Carlos Cecilia, Lei Mar Navarro, Gementiza, Liztian Amparado, Joel Acraman, Cunanan and Ramon Retaga. Coached by Ato Tolentino
Read more about this topic: Jason Castro (basketball), Amateur Career
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