Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Nash Racela eases fear surrounding Troy Rosario


TNT Katropa head coach Nash Racela allayed fears surrounding Troy Rosario’s injury during their clash with the Phoenix Fuel Masters Wednesday night, which saw the third-year pro leave the Mall of Asia Arena lying on a stretcher.

The athletic six-foot-seven big man fell down to the ground face-first off a rebound attempt, as he landed on Phoenix rookie Jason Perkins, who was also decked after an apparent push by TNT veteran Kelly Williams.

Rosario’s fall was so bad that he didn’t stand up immediately, and his chin was busted. He had to be put on a stretcher — with a neck brace — by the medical personnel on stand-by for a possible concussion.

“Okay naman siya. Good signs, no fracture, dislocations,” said Racela after reading a text message that most likely had the updates on Rosario.

“May wound lang na malaki. I-observe pa siya, kasi ang lakas nung bagsak niya eh.”

Rosario’s absence was badly missed by the Katropa, as they had a meltdown and lost to the Fuel Masters, 72-74, no thanks to the late-game heroics of sophomore forward Matthew Wright and veteran bruiser Doug Kramer.

But for the second-year Texters head coach, the loss was more because of their failure to execute when needed.

“We talked about execution in the end – on both ends, specifically on defense,” said Racela, as the Katropa failed to protect a 72-69 advantage with 1:42 remaining in the match. “We weren’t able to execute in the end.”

TNT seemingly could not fathom the setback, as they spent a lengthy post-game huddle inside the locker room. But Racela insisted that there was no scolding whatsoever. “Hindi [sinabon],” he clarified.

“Tinatanong ko lang sila kung ano tingin nila dun sa what went wrong. I just wanted to hear it from them. We showed them the clips of the last two possessions of Phoenix,” the 46-year-old tactician furthered.

The Katropa now carry 4-4 card after the loss, making their aspirations of having a higher playoff position bleaker. Racela, however, remains unfazed.

#ReadMore  SEA Games: Saclag, Veloso advance to kickboxing finals

“If you study our conferences last year, we were always in the middle of the pack, and we just made a good push toward the playoffs and in the playoffs, so it’s still the same plan,” said the former FEU Tamaraws head coach.

“It will be a tough last three games for us, especially with Gilas coming up. I think we’re going to miss the three guys in at least one game, so it would’ve been nicer if we won today.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Juami Tiongson nailed the game-winner to help Terrafirma complete a massive comeback against Blackwater, 92-91, and get back on track in the PBA Season...

Basketball

NLEX dealt Blackwater its first loss, 103-97, to further its own streak in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday at the Philsports Arena...

Basketball

Blackwater humiliated Converge, 90-78, to take the provisional lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. In arguably...

Basketball

Blackwater earned a huge 87-76 upset against TNT to take the early lead in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup, Saturday at the SMART...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Rey Nambatac refused to see his debut become a footnote as he saved Blackwater from a massive collapse against Meralco, 96-93, in...

Basketball

Troy Rosario will no longer see action in Blackwater’s final game of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup due to a calf injury. The...

Basketball

Don Trollano brought immediate impact as San Miguel took down Ginebra in a rivalry affair, 95-82, to arrest its two-game losing skid in the...

Basketball

Magnolia finished strongly to beat Blackwater, 105-84, and stay perfect in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena. The...

Advertisement