Last February 7, Troy Rosario suffered a nasty fall during the TNT Katropa’s elimination round game against the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
With 11:36 in the final frame and with TNT up 61-58, a rebounding Rosario fell face first to the ground as he landed on a decked Jason Perkins, who had apparently been pushed by Rosario’s teammate Kelly Williams.
He was stretchered off the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Sunday evening, Rosario was up against the same team. However, the Katropa’s back was against the wall as a loss to the Fuel Masters would spell the end of the Philippine Cup campaign.
This time, he was able to leave the SMART Araneta Coliseum on his own two feet.
“May satisfaction kasi yun nga nawala ako nung fourth quarter nung game na yun.
“Tsaka importante talaga sa’min ‘tong game na ‘to kaso once na matalo kami dito talagang out kami — first time ata mangyayari simula nung pumasok ako sa TNT na na eliminate at di pumasok ng quarters,” the 6-foot-7 stretch forward expressed.
Just like during Gilas’ game against Japan, Rosario provided the spark for his team. The 26-year-old scored all 18 of his points in the first half to put the Katropa ahead by the half.
“Gusto ko lang talaga makatulong sa team. Naoopen din kasi ako eh. Tsaka sabi naman ni coach ‘pag open ka, may lisensya naman akong tumira,” the third-year pro shared.
“Yung confidence nandun, yung trust na binibigay sakin ni coach, sinusuklian ko lang.”
Waiting for them come Tuesday though will be the defending champions San Miguel Beermen. Though it will be a daunting task to overcome San Miguel twice, Rosario believes that everyone in the league will eventually have to go through them.
“Mabigat talaga, kahit kailan naman San Miguel nandyan eh. Lagi kami nagtatapat pag sa quarters, minsan sa semis,” said Rosario, who is averaging 12.67 points and 9.78 rebounds this conference.
“Talagang pag gusto mong manalo, dadaan ka muna sa kanila.”
