It was all worth it.
Troy Rosario saw his decision to play through the pain lead to a desirable result. TNT bagged the coveted Perpetual trophy after ruling the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of Magnolia, Friday night.
The 6-foot-7 forward was feared to miss the remainder of the series due to the injuries he suffered from a scary fall in Game Three, where he crashed hard onto the floor after an inadvertent contact by Jackson Corpuz.
Terrifying, indeed, were the findings. Apart from the dislocated left pinkie that required surgery, the 29-year-old also sustained a spinal shock. He fell on his back during that accident, causing only 70-percent sensation on his left leg.
Photo by PBA Images
He was understandably ‘doubtful to return’ to the title bout, according to the team. But in a shocker of a move, Rosario suited up and started for the Tropang Giga in Game Four – just three days after getting hurt.
Photo by PBA Images
They went on to win by way of a 106-89 decision. That put them in a position to wrap things up in Game Five two nights later, and that’s precisely what they did. In fact, they steamrolled past the Hotshots to finally win the elusive crown.
The flagship MVP franchise won its first championship in six years, or since lording over the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup. Back then, they outlasted Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine in arguably the best Game Seven in PBA Finals lore.
“Sobrang worth it,” said Rosario.
The former second overall pick has waited for this moment for so long. He actually had chances in the past – three, to be exact. But it wasn’t until his seventh season in the league where he would finally nail the ultimate prize.
“Tagal ko na pinagtatrabahuhan na makakuha ng championship sa PBA,” said the Cagayan native, one of the 10 TNT players who have won their first PBA championship. “Ngayong dumating, sobrang saya.”
Making the achievement much sweeter for Rosariom, he collected his maiden championship with Glenn Khobuntin and Jjay Alejandro, who were some of his teammates in National University.
The trio, for starters, belongs to that heralded batch of Bulldogs that ended the school’s 60-year title drought in the UAAP. They beat Roger Pogoy and Far Eastern University in Season 77 seven years ago.
Rosario couldn’t feel more proud of proving himself as a winner. He’s a UAAP gold medalist, a PBA D-League champion, a three-time Southeast Asian Games winner – and now, a PBA titlist.
“Simula college hanggang pro, masasabi kong champion ako.”
