It will be a while before Troy Rosario sees action once more.
The 6-foot-7 forward estimated that he might return to the fold for TNT KaTropa in late February. Rosario is still recovering from a broken nose, which he incurred during a scrimmage with the NLEX Road Warriors before New Year’s Day.
Given his condition, Rosario’s status with Gilas Pilipinas is also hanging in the balance – in an announcement by the SBP on Tuesday, Rosario was listed as part of Gilas’ 14-man pool for the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers’ sixth window.
“Siguro pagtapos na ng Gilas yung estimate ko.”
As far as his recovery is concerned, Rosario – who is averaging 4.4 points and 2.8 rebounds in five games in the Qualifiers – said that he is on the right track.
“Inayos lang kasi durog yung buto eh, hindi lang bali eh. So matagal-tagal talaga yung healing. Naayos naman, hindi naman kailangang buksan. Nilagyan lang ng nose pack for four days para magdikit-dikit ulit yung buto,” said the four-year pro, who watched from the bench when TNT bowed to the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 79-90, in the league’s season opener, Sunday at the Philippine Arena.
“Hindi lang bali eh. Kung bali okay lang sana eh, pero durog eh, yung buto eh.
“So ngayon medyo nag-aano na, nagdidikit-dikit na siguro kasi pag ano, hinahawakan ko hindi na malambot eh,” added the 26-year-old.
Rosario has been out for approximately two weeks now, so his goal is to catch up as soon as he gets cleared to play for the size-deprived KaTropa.
“Mahigit two weeks na simula nung na-injured.
“So wala ako sa kundisyon. Siyempre di rin ako nakaano sa training camp. So maghahabol ako if ever na ma-cleared ako ng doktor,” said the Texters’ second overall pick in 2015.
