Troy Rosario finally made his debut with Ginebra in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Like a child getting his first-ever basketball jersey, Troy Rosario admitted feeling giddy when he donned Ginebra's threads on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Upon arriving at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Rosario said he went looking for his Gin Kings uniform first to fulfill a childhood dream.
“It’s been a childhood dream to wear that jersey. Talagang ang sarap sa pakiramdam,” Rosario said after Ginebra derailed NLEX, 109-100, to prevail in its opening assignment in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup debut.
“Pagdating ko pa lang dito sa venue, talagang 'yun ang tiningan ko, kung nasaan ang jersey ko. Finally, maisusuot ko na rin.”
Rosario, acquired in free agency before the conference unfurled, knows the weight that comes with donning the iconic Ginebra colors.
That is why he is trying his best to acclimatize himself with Tim Cone’s vaunted system that has won the mentor countless championships.
“Hindi ko pa rin masyadong kapa ang sistema. Actually, eight days pa lang akong nagpa-practice,” said Rosario, who started for Ginebra and accumulated nine points, seven rebounds and three assists in more than 30 minutes of play.
“Halu-halo, 'yung sa plays na gusto kong matutunan. Shina-shuffle ako sa five, four, sa wing. So medyo inaalam ko pa ang mga galaw talaga. Kinakabisado ko.”
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As for his other goals that he wants to tick off now that his long-time one was fulfilled, Rosario said that winning a championship is on top of the list. Especially now at 32, he knows that he is not getting the luxury of time to achieve it.
But now that he is with the Gin Kings, it looks like the one-time league champion with TNT is bound to win more.
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“Well, noong free agency ko, 'yun (to win a championship) na 'yung iniisip ko, eh. Hindi na rin ako bumabata, so 'yung goal, 'yung makuha 'yung championship, hanggang matapos ang career ko, 'yun talaga ang No. 1,” said Rosario.
“Mapa-ano mang mangyari, gusto ko talagang pumasok sa playoffs. Kasi once na nasa playoffs ka, nandoon na 'yung chance, eh. With a couple of games, talagang dumadagdag 'yung chance na makakuha ng championship.”