Troy Rosario’s right ring finger was heavily bandaged when TNT met rivals San Miguel Beermen in 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup action, Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 6-foot-7 forward said that he hurt his finger during the KaTropa’s match with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last November 8 which they lost. He still feelspain until now.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said the same injury caused Rosario to miss the national team’s last tuneup versus Alab Pilipinas in its buildup for the SEA Games.
“‘Yung daliri ko nung Ginebra game parang na-sprain. Hanggang ngayon ‘pag nagpa-practice ako, ‘pag tinatamaan talagang namimilipit ako sa sakit. Hindi ko nababaluktot,” Rosario said.
“Previous practices, tinamaan pa ulit, so naulit na naman. So hindi gumagaling.”
Still, Rosario reassured that the injury is not serious. He only needs to have his finger properly taped so he can still suit up and see action on the hardwood.
“Nothing to worry. Te-tape lang talaga ng maayos,” said Rosario, who had a calf injury before hurting his finger.
And Rosario proved that there’s nothing to worry about in his performance versus the Beermen.
The 27-year-old hit seven of the KaTropa’s 14 three-pointers on his way to 30 big points — the best among locals in the game — alongside 10 rebounds to help his side to a 114-109 victory.
That win snapped TNT’s three-game losing skid and enabled it to clinch the third seed for the quarterfinals.
“Kagagaling namin sa tatlong sunud-sunod na talo after nung pitong sunud-sunod na panalo. Parang kailangan may mag-step up,” said Rosario, who shot 55-percent from the field.
“Sa tingin ko kailangan kong dagdagan pa ‘yung laro na nilaro ko nung first ten games. Pero ‘di ko naman in-expect na ganito.”
The KaTropa will now head into the quarters to face defending champions Magnolia. And for Rosario, they will show up better against the Hotshots in the next round.
TNT’s last defeat came at the hands of the Romeo Travis-led Magnolia last November 16 in Davao City, 93-100.
“Yung turnovers namin. Madami-dami ‘yung turnovers. Tapos ‘di rin kami naka-shoot ng maayos dun eh,” said Rosario of the things they need to sort out for them to maximize their incentive.
