There was a sense of relief this past Thursday, when the PBA board of governors finally agreed to lend some players to Gilas Pilipinas for the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia this August by deciding to send the core of TNT Katropa.
The development was definitely great news, especially for the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, as they will have the chance to send a competitive team to the meet that can make up for Gilas’ disappointing showing back in 2014.
However, things have yet to be smoothed out among the stakeholders. But for TNT and Gilas stalwart Troy Rosario, he hopes that whoever will be sent to Asia’s version of the Olympics will give their best.
The six-foot-seven stretch forward is projected to be included in that solid Katropa core, which has the likes of Jayson Castro, Terrence Romeo, and Roger Pogoy, who are all seasoned cagers in the international arena.
“Hindi pa naman sure kung sino yung core na dadalhin doon. Sana, kung sinuman yung ipadala, gawin nila yung best nila,” said the veteran internationalist on Friday, after TNT’s 123-95 win over Columbian Dyip.
If ever the 26-year-old will suit up in the Asiad, 2018 will definitely be a lot busier for the NU Bulldog in terms of Gilas gigs. Aside from the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Rosario is also set to play in the FIBA 3×3 World Cup this June 8-12.
But Rosario is taking his battles one at a time, and his focus, for now, is set in the 3×3 Worlds. The 26-year-old bared that the team is facing challenges prior to the tilt, but he is optimistic that they will fare well with the world’s best.
Rosario, along with Pogoy, Christian Standhardinger, and Stanley Pringle, aim to bring the Philippines as far as they can in the Cup, as the furthest the last two Filipino teams reached in the annual event was third in the group stage.
“Medyo ano schedule namin eh, medyo magulo. Minsan may practice kami sa TNT tapos may practice din kami sa 3×3, medyo hindi kami nakakapag-practice ng maayos sa 3×3. Iilang beses pa lang kami kumpleto eh,” lamented Rosario.
“Pero ginagawa naman namin yung dapat, sa tingin ko magiging okay pa rin naman yung performance namin.”
