Troy Rosario remains uncertain of what’s next even as his current contract with Blackwater is set to expire over the weekend.
The 32-year-old said that his camp is still confirming whether or not he could be an unrestricted free agent once his deal, an extension he signed with TNT before being traded to the Bossing in 2022, lapses after August 31.
“Hindi ko pa kasi alam kung ano ‘yung sa rule. Tinatanong pa namin ng agent ko kung talagang unrestricted free agent na ako,” he told Tiebreaker Times.
The second overall pick of the 2015 Rookie Draft is supposed to become a UFA according to the new free agency rules set by the league in 2021.
Back then, it was said that players could explore free agency — like how it is being done in the NBA — after their first seven years in the league. Eligible for the ruling are those coming from Rosario’s batch onwards.
Since then, however, the rules have been amended. Thus, the confusion on the part of the veteran forward and his agent, Danny Espiritu.
One of those they are still trying to clarify, said Rosario, is the auto-extension rule, which means he may have to suit up for Blackwater, still, until the end of the ongoing import-laden conference before becoming a UFA.
“Meron ata sa rule na kapag nag-expire ka sa kalagitnaan ng conference, auto-extension ka eh. ‘Di ko alam kung ‘yun yung pagkakaintindi namin,” he said.
With regards to extension, Rosario disclosed that he and the management did discuss a five-year contract before, although their talks fell through.
“Nag-offer naman dati ng five years, medyo na-pause lang ‘yung negotiations. May mga konting ano lang na hindi napagkasunduan,” he bared.
It may be a longer wait for Rosario but once he becomes a free agent, the National University alumnus said that he will explore all possible options.
That, of course, includes playing overseas. The 6-foot-7 big man has long been reported to be eyed by teams abroad, particularly from Korea.
“‘Pag dumating ‘yung time na mangyari nga ‘yun, siyempre plano ko [tingnan] ‘yung lahat ng options,” the 32-year-old product of NU said. “Hindi naman na tayo bumabata.
“Kung ako lang ‘yung masusunod, [kung] kaya ko magdesisyon ng sarili ko, gusto ko i-secure na yung family ko. Sa tingin ko ito na ‘yung last contract na makukuha ko na kumbaga, andun pa sa peak. Mga next na, pababa na ‘yan,” added the one-time champion, who’s averaging 15.5 points this Governors’ Cup.
“Pagiisipan ko talaga.”
