Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone bared that the do-it-all forward Troy Rosario will compete for a roster spot for the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers in February.
Head coach Tim Cone turned to his newest Gin King to address the current injury woes of Gilas Pilipinas.
Cone confirmed that Troy Rosario will be in the mix battling for a spot for the Nationals' campaign in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers next month.
“Yes, Troy (Rosario) will join us in the Doha trip,” the multi-time PBA champion said in a text message sent to News5. Gilas Pilipinas is set to train in Doha ahead of the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers in February against New Zealand and Chinese Taipei.
The development comes as the Philippine men's national team found itself with limited wings--after injuries hit Kai Sotto and Kevin Quiambao.
Sotto suffered an ACL injury and is expected to be out for at least six months, while Quiambao is reportedly set to miss the next four weeks due to an ankle sprain.
[ALSO READ: Kevin Quiambao sidelined for 4 weeks due to ankle injury — Reports]
Rosario last played for Gilas Pilipinas in the 2021 Southeast Asian Games, where the squad ended up as silver medalists behind Indonesia.
Before that, the former NU Bulldog is a three-time gold winner in the biennial sporting event and was part of the Yeng Guiao-led national team who participated in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China.
He also suited up in the FIBA World Cup 2023 Asian Qualifiers, the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers, and the 2017 SEABA Championship.
[ALSO READ: Troy Rosario, a representation of how Ginebra battled vs SMB, says Cone: 'A lot of heart']
Gilas Pilipinas, already assured of a slot in the main FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia, aims to sweep their remaining games in the tournament in battling Chinese Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand three days later.
[ALSO READ: Gilas Pilipinas guide: 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers November window schedule, results]
(With reports from News5)