Gilas Pilipinas veteran Troy Rosario didn’t expect to be selected for the national team pool, but he’s willing to go all out.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel wing Troy Rosario admitted that he was caught off guard when he was asked to be a part of the Gilas Pilipinas training pool ahead of the final window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers next month.
Following injuries to key players Kai Sotto and Kevin Quiambao, the Nationals were suddenly in need of a big man, and head coach Tim Cone had no problems in looking at his own backyard in the PBA to fill in the void left by unfortunate injuries.
[RELATED: Kai Sotto describes ACL tear as "darkest day" of basketball career]
Cone, who has been utilizing Rosario efficiently in the Gin Kings, approached the 10-year veteran to represent the flag for the first time since the 2022 Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam.
After ending his last stint on a sour note with a silver medal finish, Rosario jumped at the opportunity to make a bigger impact this time around.
“Kahit ako, hindi makapaniwala na nakabalik ako sa Gilas, kahit nga sa pool lang eh. Nagulat talaga ako nung kinausap ako nila Boss Al[francis Chua] at saka ni Coach Tim na kumbaga sabi, 'yung injury daw ni Kai at saka ni Quiambao, malaking ano team so kakailanganin nila ng isang big man. So, tinanong ako kung willing ako, kung gusto ko maglaro or mapasama sa pool.” said Rosario on an episode of
One News' Play By Play.
“Sabi ko, oo naman coach, oo naman boss kasi bakit ko naman hihindian yung bansa kung ako naman yung gusto niyo isama sa pool, bakit naman ako hihindi? At saka hindi na rin siguro ako ano diyan sa Gilas team, kasi may experience din naman ako playing internationally.” he added.
[RELATED: Kevin Quiambao sidelined for 4 weeks due to ankle injury — Reports]
Cone previously admitted he was playing Sotto as a wing, since he had the luxury to do so with June Mar Fajardo at the post. This proved to work wonders in the upset against New Zealand.
[RELATED: Gilas believes Kai Sotto needs, should be in the NBA, according to Tim Cone]
Rosario is no stranger to national team action, as he was also part of Cone’s team during the 2019 SEA Games in Manila where they won gold. Now with his professional career also budding with Ginebra, Rosario is eager to show off his experience as one of the older players in the team.
With younger players looking to assert their dominance when it comes to their physicality, Rosario wants to show that with age comes more wisdom as well.
“Alam niyo naman yung skills ngayon ng mga bata eh. Yung bilis nila, medyo, hindi na rin tayo bata tapos kumbaga naisip ko nga nung ano, nung sinabi sakin ni coach, sabi ko ako na yata yung isa sa mga pinakamatanda dun ah. So, 'di gaya dati na ako yung pinakabata, ngayon ako na yung pinakamatanda,” the 33-year-old said.
“So sabi ko, talagang kung gusto ko mapasama sa Final 12, talagang pagta-trabahuhan ko yung job na 'yun… So, makikipag-compete talaga ako sa mga mas bata sakin,” he continued.
[RELATED: Dwight Ramos expresses confidence in Troy Rosario with Gilas call: 'He works really hard’]
Still, it’s not just competition for Rosario, though, as he also looked forward to playing with some of the younger players on the roster.
In particular, Rosario is keen on joining forces with Changwon LG Sakers player and former NU Bullpup Carl Tamayo.
Playing in similar positions, Rosario is looking forward to testing his mettle against Tamayo in his prime.
“[Si] Carl Tamayo [gusto ko makasama]. Nakita ko rin naman siya dati sa NU Bullpups, alam ko galing din siya sa NU bago mag-UP so, di ko pa siya masyado nakakalaro eh.” said Rosario.
“Siya talaga yung tinitignan ko na excited ako na makalaro, makasama siya sa court.” he added.
Rosario and the rest of Gilas Pilipinas are slated to play Chinese Taipei and New Zealand in their final two games of qualifiers where they seek to sweep their matches, entering the window with a 4-0 slate.