Troy Rosario has been a solid provider for the TNT KaTropa in their 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-five semifinal battle with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
In the series’ first three games – where TNT got the first two – the 6-foot-7 forward averaged 17.3 points and 6.7 rebounds. He even had a 24-point, 10-rebound outing in their Game One win.
Then in Game Four Thursday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Rosario was once again in his element.
Rosario is ecstatic with the win, of course, as TNT have finally made it back to the Finals after five long conferences.
“Tagal na rin namin ‘di pumapasok sa Finals. Ilang conference na nakakalipas,” said Rosario, whose TNT last played in a Finals back in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup. The KaTropa eventually lost to San Miguel.
For the second overall pick by TNT in the 2015 Draft, he believes that this semis series with the erstwhile-defending champs also helped the KaTropa heading into the championship round.
“Ang laking tulong ng series na ‘to. Kasi talagang dito mo makikita kung anong klaseng team meron yung bawat team eh. Sa series na ‘to talagang dikdikan – depensa, opensa,” said the 27-year-old Rosario.
“Talagang labasan talaga ng lakas, kung sino mananalo – opensa ba or depensa.”
TNT now await the winner of the San Miguel-Rain or Shine match-up for their foes in the Finals. And for Rosario, closing the series early will only help them prepare better against either team.
“‘Di natin alam sino yung makakalaban pero dahil nauna tayong nakapasok, makakapag-pahinga at mapagha-handaan namin ng husto yung makakalaban namin.”
