After spending nine years with the other camp, Troy Rosario is set to begin a new chapter in his career with San Miguel Corporation’s Ginebra.
The 32-year-old versatile forward signed with the Gin Kings as an unrestricted free agent during the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, where Ginebra fell to the TNT Tropang Giga, according to multiple sources closely monitoring the situation.
Rosario is a key addition for Ginebra, especially as Japeth Aguilar nears the twilight of his career and with Jamie Malonzo and Isaac Go sidelined due to knee injuries.
However, Rosario will no longer wear his familiar jersey number 18, which he donned for seven years with TNT and two years with Blackwater. Ginebra’s sophomore Ralph Cu currently holds that number.
Rosario shared with Tiebreaker Times that his second choice was number 8, but that number had already been retired in honor of Allan Caidic.
In the end, Rosario settled on number 1.
“Audience of one,” he said as Rosario is a person known who is close to his faith.
Despite these changes, Ginebra will still field a formidable roster, with Justin Brownlee returning for the midseason conference. Malonzo is also expected to return midway through the tournament.
(C) PBA Images
On the other side, Christian Standhardinger is no longer part of Terrafirma’s lineup.
Standhardinger has been out since September 8 due to a persistent injury and his contract with the Dyip is set to expire later this month.
Now in his seventh season in the league, the Filipino-German will become an unrestricted free agent on December 1.
