Troy Rosario sees the PBA On Tour’s own brand of physicality as beneficial in regaining his old form after being saddled with injuries last season.
The Blackwater forward appreciates the aggressiveness displayed by the seldom-used players given the chance in the ongoing preseason tournament. This aggressiveness not only motivates him but also contributes to the progress he has been seeking in terms of confidence.
“Laking tulong,” he said. “Kasi ‘yun talaga laro rito sa PBA eh. May mga ibang teams, hindi pa nila-line up ‘yung talagang players nila. ‘Pag kalaban mo talaga ‘yung mga nasa six to ten-man lineup, talagang pupukpok ‘yung mga ‘yan.
“Makikita mo talaga ‘yung aggressiveness nila, ‘yung physicality nandiyan. Kasi gigil ‘yang mga ‘yan e, bihira lang magamit sa laro. Diyan ka matututo.”
On Sunday, the Bossing faced Phoenix at the Ynares Sports Arena, and the game was indeed intense, with both teams getting physical, especially towards the end.
Rosario himself found himself in the midst of a commotion within the final 50.6 seconds following a collision with Sean Manganti, resulting in a loose ball foul against him. To make matters worse, Manganti made his free throws and brought his team within two points.
However, in the end, Blackwater managed to secure a 92-90 victory. It did just enough to escape after nearly squandering a 12-point lead early in the fourth quarter.
The eight-year pro led the team’s triumph with a game-high 24 points on 71.4-percent shooting from the field, accompanied by eight rebounds.
It was easily his best scoring performance in the On Tour, but Rosario emphasized that bouncing back was the primary goal. The Bossing were coming off a tough 81-80 overtime loss to Barangay Ginebra just last Wednesday.
(C) PBA Images
“Bounce back lang. Sama ng shooting ko last game, three out of twelve,” he said.
“Kailangan ko ring bumawi – ‘di lang ako, patio buong team.
“Maganda naman ‘yung game namin last game kaso ‘di namin nai-close out. Nangyari ulit kanina, buti different result,” he added.
Still, there’s no denying that Rosario is on track to rediscover his old self. And of course, he aims to expedite the process by making the most out of the On Tour.
“Siguro 70, 80-percent,” said the former Gilas mainstay, who’s averaging 15.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in the tilt, when asked where he is right now.
“Talagang ginagamit ko ‘yung PBA On Tour para makuha ‘yung kumpiyansa ko, makuha ulit ‘yung laro,” he furthered.
