Another Loophole? Rich PBA Teams Find a Way to Beat the System—Again
The PBA has seen its fair share of clever maneuvers by its wealthiest teams, and the latest development involving TNT Tropang Giga star Jayson Castro only adds fuel to the fire.
Castro—arguably one of the greatest point guards in PBA history and the long-time face of TNT—is now listed as an Unrestricted Free Agent. But let’s be clear: he’s not going anywhere.
This isn’t about the team moving on or preparing for life after Castro. It’s simply a technical workaround that benefits TNT while Castro recovers from a serious ruptured patellar tendon, which will sideline him for the remainder of this season—and possibly a chunk of next season as well.
A Familiar Tactic: Unrestricted, But Not Really
TNT’s move mirrors what Barangay Ginebra did with LA Tenorio, who was placed on the Unrestricted Free Agent list while taking a leave of absence to coach the Gilas youth team. The strategy is obvious: free up a roster spot while continuing to pay the player, without actually risking losing him to another team.
In theory, a player on the Unrestricted Free Agent list is open to offers from any franchise. In reality? No team dares to touch them—not because they aren’t good, but because everyone knows what’s really going on. These are legacy players with protected status from powerhouse franchises with deep pockets and powerful influence.
So if you're wondering whether there’s even a 1% chance that another team might offer Castro a contract—don’t count on it. The unwritten rules are clear: stay away.
Roster Flexibility for the Rich
With Castro now “officially” off the roster, TNT gains roster flexibility. They can activate a healthy player while continuing to pay Castro his guaranteed salary. And with Rey Nambatac also out 4–6 weeks due to a groin injury, the Tropang Giga are clearly scrambling for healthy bodies in their bid for a Grand Slam.
But here’s the rub: only the richest and most influential teams can pull off these kinds of maneuvers without scrutiny. Smaller, independent franchises don’t have the luxury of paying players who aren't playing. They don’t have the depth—or the political capital—to bend the system to their benefit.
The Bigger Picture
Fans can see through it. This move may be perfectly legal, but it also exposes a deeper imbalance in the league—a system where elite teams find ways to keep winning while others fight uphill battles just to stay competitive.
The question now is: how far can these workarounds go before the league starts looking into reforms that level the playing field?
Until then, don’t expect Jayson Castro to play for anyone else. He’s not just TNT’s heart and soul—he’s untouchable, and the system has once again been played to ensure it stays that way.
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