Troy Rosario was a surprise attendee at Gilas Pilipinas’ resumption of practices for the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ sixth window in February, Monday afternoon at the Ynares Sports Arena in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
The 6-foot-7 forward – who himself had estimated he would only return to basketball activities after the sixth window, as he recovers from a broken nose – attended the session wearing a black plastic mask.
But what was more surprising was the low turnout for the session. Only eight players showed up, with just six active.
National team veterans Jayson Castro, Gabe Norwood, and June Mar Fajardo joined Rosario.
Roger Pogoy is back with Gilas, as his five-game suspension from that brawl last July 2018 will end this coming sixth window. The 6-foot-2 guard will be eligible to play versus Kazakhstan on February 24.
Gilas pioneer Mark Barroca also made his return to the program he helped build, for the first time in seven years, or since he prepped flag and country in the 2011 FIBA Asia Championship in Wuhan, China.
Present but in street clothes were Raymond Almazan (sprained ankle) and Poy Erram, who is coming off a game with the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday evening.
Marcio Lassiter arrived before the clock struck six.
Part of the pool but were not in attendance were Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Christian Standhardinger, as they all figured in a Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel classic, also Sunday night.
However, Standhardinger has made it known that he’s begging off for Gilas duties as he looks to strengthen his knee.
Andray Blatche will arrive on February 1.
