Troy Rosario looks forward to working with Gilas Pilipinas anew, this time for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The 6-foot-7 forward is back for yet another tour of duty with the national team, as coach Tim Con has included him in the 15-man talent pool for the biennial regional meet set on November 30-December 11.
“Sobrang saya kasi napasama ulit tapos baging coach, magaling na coach ulit ang magco-coach sa’min.
“Hopefully, mapasama ulit sa Final Twelve. Alam ko magpa-practice na ata kami sa Monday eh, so paghahandaan ko yun,” he said.
Rosario is no stranger to SEA Games basketball. He was part of the Philippine teams in its last two editions, and his inclusion in this year’s meet — which will take place in Manila — gives him the possibility of winning a third gold medal.
The 27-year-old is coming off a stint in the FIBA World Cup just last September, meaning he hasn’t yet had the luxury of a good rest. But for Rosario, he simply doesn’t feel tired whenever the national team comes knocking on his door.
For the NU product, he just keeps in mind the reminder of former Gilas mainstay Ranidel De Ocampo.
“Sanay na yung katawan ko. Kasi naalala ko yung sinasabi ni kuya Del sa’kin na once na pumasok ka sa national team, ‘pag pinatawag ka, ‘di mo mararamdaman yung pagod eh,” said Rosario, who entered the Gilas program in 2016.
“Kahit tuloy-tuloy yung liga tapos may Gilas ka, parang hahanap-hanapin mo rin yung laro sa Gilas eh.”
