For the TNT Katropa to have a chance to knot up the Finals series on Wednesday night, the MVP Group’s flagship franchise needed to get contributions at all fronts. And they were hoping that Troy Rosario would wake up from his slump.
During Games 2 and 3 of the series, the 6-foot-7 utility forward was a non-factor, playing in the extended garbage time of Game Two while logging in just three minutes in the second quarter of Game Three. Moreover, the Gilas Pilipinas pool member shot a poor 3-of-8 from the field and grabbed just four rebounds during that span.
“Last game, one attempt lang ako e tapos three minutes of playing time,” the product of the National University basketball program reflected.
“Gusto kong bumawi e. Binigyan na ko ng lisensya ni coach Nash [Racela] na be aggressive and take your shots.”
Despite his struggles, the sophomore was plugged into the starting line-up of the Katropa. And he made sure to make the most of it, scoring 11 of his 13 points in the first half and exploiting every switch the San Miguel Beermen threw at him.
“Hindi naman. Nataon lang talaga na pag nasa transition, napupunta sa akin so may option lang na maka-take advantage sa mismatch,” Rosario, who shot 14 attempts in the game, said after TNT’s 102-97 win. “Every game naman talagang pinipilit ko maging aggressive pagkapasok ko pa lang. Kanina, nataon lang na may mismatch, na laging may mismatch.
“Pag hindi ko man matira, at least nag-co-collapse sa akin yung depensa.”
For them to re-take the series advantage, the second overall pick in the 2015 Draft believes that they need to sustain their aggressive approach come Friday night.
“Maganda na lahat nakapag-contribute. Last game, iilan lang yung gumawa e,” Rosario added.
“Mas mahirap kami bantayan pag mas mahaba yung rotation ng players.”
