Days after his face-first fall that saw him stretchered out of the Mall of Asia Arena, Troy Rosario appeared much better on Sunday night. But he didn’t suit up for the TNT Katropa’s clash with long-time rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
“Okay naman na. ‘Di naman na ‘ko nahihilo, ‘di gaya nung mga nakaraang araw na nandun pa yung hilo,” said the 26-year-old, clad in street clothes.
“He was advised to rest,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela.
The Katropa felt his absence greatly, as they broke down in the fourth and succumbed to a 78-93 defeat — their second straight loss. With that, the versatile forward hopes that he can return into the fold “as soon as possible.”
“Talo kami ngayon, so sa tingin ko kailangan ko na bumalik,” said Rosario, who’s averaging 12.5 points and 10.4 rebounds this conference.
“Kasi kawawa naman mga teammate ko, ang haba ng minutes na nilaro.”
However, and unfortunately, his wish to return might take a while to fulfill.
“Check-up ko bukas sa Ortho, pero yung sa Neuro ko, 15 pa yung check-up ko. So dun pa malalaman kung bibigyan ako ng go-signal para magpractice,” Rosario shared. “Kung bibigyan man ako ng go-signal, ‘di alam kung [pwedeng] biglaan.
“Unti-unti din eh. Yun yung sabi ng doktor. Pero ewan ko, baka magbago bukas.”
This now means that Rosario is doubtful for TNT’s match versus the GlobalPort Batang Pier this Wednesday. But the bigger problem is his status with Gilas, who, in just two weeks, will be playing in the second window of the 2019 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
Rosario doesn’t even know if he will be attending the Gilas’ practice session on Monday.
“‘Di ko alam kung makakapunta ako bukas,” said the six-foot-seven stretch forward, who has been with Gilas since 2015.
“Depende kung ano pakiramdam ko bukas.”
Gilas is already down to 14 players in the pool, as Calvin Abueva and Raymond Almazan have been cut.
