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.
“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.“
