As coach Jong Uichico confirmed on Thursday that Carl Cruz and Christian Standhardinger are flying back to Manila from the FIBA Asia Cup in Lebanon to gear up for the 2017 SEA Games, it immediately brought lots of positives.
And one of those beaming over the news is top forward Troy Rosario.
“Malaking tulong kasi kulang kami,” said the TNT Katropa stretched big man of the two cagers’ return, moments after the Chooks-to-Go-hosted send-off for Gilas, Thursday afternoon at the EDSA Shangri-la in Mandaluyong City.
“Nung mga tune-up games, talagang hirap na hirap kami ni Raymar [Jose] mag-adjust sa position. Ngayon at least meron na kaming parang ka-relyebo.”
The two forwards’ return makes the Filipinos’ frontline even more stacked. But aside from that, what makes their frontcourt scarier is the way Rosario and Jose play together, as they had developed a special bond back in the 2016 SEABA Stankovic Cup.
“‘Pag nasa court yan, pure hustle talaga. Kung ano yung ginagawa niya, talagang madadala ka rin,” he said of Jose. “[Pero] ‘Di na namin kailangan gumawa ng extraordinary kasi alam namin yung mga guards naman can shoot.
“Ang talagang role namin dito, rebounds and protecting the paint, kasi may mas malalaking players sa ibang team.”
Now that Gilas will be complete heading into the regional biennial meet in Kuala Lumpur, the 2015 SEAG gold medalist is more than confident in his side, as they aim to win the Philippines’ 18th gold medal in basketball.
*Mas ready kami ngayon kasi kagagaling lang nung iba sa’min sa Jones Cup. Kumbaga, fresh pa yung mindset nila sa mga gagawin sa court, fresh pa sila sa niru-run na system. Ako naman pamilyar na ‘ko,” said the 2015 SEA Games gold medalist.
“Mga in-game adjustments na lang.”
