Troy Rosario’s arrival to Barangay Ginebra would not actually be possible without some assistance from a former teammate turned close friend.
The veteran big man disclosed that Scottie Thompson played a key role in his decision to take his talents to the PBA’s most popular franchise, eventually leading to the realization of his childhood dream by signing with them.
“Parang ‘yung inner child ‘yung umano sa’kin na, ‘Why not try Ginebra?’ Kinausap ako ni Scottie na ‘kausapin mo si Boss,'” he recalled.
“Naglakas-loob na ako na kausapin si Boss Al [Chua]. Siya na lang ‘di nakikipag-usap na ano. ‘Boss, kung interesado kayo sa’kin, pwede ako diyan sa Ginebra.’ Naging maayos naman usapan. Finally, nagkasundo,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
Rosario and Thompson have long known one another since their amateur days, having played together with the Gilas Cadets that saw them help the program to a gold medal finish in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.
They also became teammates in the developmental ranks with the stacked Hapee Fresh Fighters in the PBA D-League, winning one championship when they swept Cagayan in the Aspirants’ Cup best-of-3 Finals of the same year.
Later on in that year, they’d make the jump to the pros, with Rosario drafted second overall by Mahindra — before he got shipped to TNT days later — and Thompson selected at no. 5 by the Kings in the PBA Rookie Draft.
“Alam naman natin naging teammate ko si Scottie sa national team nung nag-SEA Games. Naging teammate ko rin siya sa D-League sa Hapee. Before pa kilala na talaga. Naging close din kami,” said the NU legend.
Nine years later, the good pals are now reunited, with Rosario excited to link up not only with Thompson but with his former Gilas teammates as well.
(C) PBA Images
“Gusto ko rin maging teammate si Scottie. Alam naman natin kung anong caliber ng player si Scottie,” he said of the 2022 PBA Most Valuable Player.
“Tsaka ‘yung mga dati kong naka-teammate sa national team. like kuya LA and Japeth. At, sino ba namang ayaw maging coach si Coach Tim, ‘di ba,” added Rosario, who last played for the men’s national team in 2022.
He’s excited, too, with the prospect of succeeding with the perennial contenders now that he’s authoring the latest chapter of his career.
“Nung free agency ko, ‘yun na ‘yung iniisip ko eh. ‘Di na rin ako bumabata so ‘yung goal ‘yung makuha ‘yung championship pa hanggang matapos career ko. Ayun talaga no. 1,” said the one-time league titlist with the Tropang Giga.
“Anumang mangyari, gusto ko talaga pumasok sa playoffs. Kasi once na nasa playoffs ka, nandoon na ‘yung chance eh,” he added.
But of course, he knows that he will have to work for it and go through the process as he navigates his way within his new ball club.
If it’s any indication, his first game with Ginebra on Wednesday night should bring excitement with what lies ahead for this team.
Rosario finished with nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists against four turnovers as the Kings beat NLEX, 109-100, for a successful debut in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Excited ako kanina eh. Sobrang excited ako. ‘Di ko alam ano nangyari sa game. Para sa’kin, good first game,” he assessed. “‘Di ko pa rin masyado kapa sistema — actually eight days pa lang akong nagpa-practice.
“Halo-halo na ‘yung sa plays, at gusto matutunan. Shina-shuffle ako sa 5, 4, sa wing. So, medyo inaalam ko pa. Kinakabisado ko.”
