January 07, 2025

Troy Rosario, a representation of how Ginebra battled vs SMB, says Cone: 'A lot of heart'

Troy Rosario, a representation of how Ginebra battled vs SMB, says Cone:
Troy Rosario topscores for the Ginebra Gin Kings in their win against the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Jan. 5. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Troy Rosario has settled for collaring rebounds and playing defense in his first few games as a Ginebra Gin King.

 Rosario contributed more than that on Sunday, Jan. 5.

 Rosario fired 22 points, including 16 in the second half, as the Gin Kings weathered a late San Miguel uprising for a 93-81 win in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

 

Rosario found himself open twice in the fourth period, knocking down two triples that helped keep the Beermen at bay.

 His impressive outing did not go unnoticed.

 “(The team showed) Just a lot of heart led by this guy. He was all over the floor. He’s always been all over the floor defensively for us and on the boards, being that extra factor for us,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone of the former UAAP champion with National University, who also had 10 rebounds and one block.

 “But tonight, he was huge on the offensive side, knocking down shots. So Troy kind of represented our performance tonight. I thought we really played hard," said Cone.

Ginebra's Troy Rosario showcases his wares against San Miguel in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Jan. 5. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

 Well-loved import Justin Brownlee put the finishing touches and scored the last five points of the Gin Kings.

 The squad thus followed up on its Christmas Day win over Magnolia to improve to 5-2.

 Though he was having troubles breathing due to colds, Brownlee still finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal and three blocks for the Gin Kings, who outscored the Beermen 31-15 in the second period before doing just enough down the stretch.

 Stephen Holt turned in 15 points, two rebounds and two assists, while Japeth Aguilar, who spearheaded the early assault for Ginebra, ended up with 11 points, eight boards, five dimes, a steal and a block.

 Scottie Thompson put up a stellar outing as well with 12 rebounds and 11 assists. He also had eight markers.

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 Cone could not help but be proud of the effort his team put in on defense.

 “I just think our guys really came out and just played on the defensive side,” Cone said.

 Ginebra’s defense showed its teeth early on, limiting SMB import Jabari Narcis and eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo to single digits at halftime.

 Narcis finished with 17 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks.

 Fajardo wound up with a subpar 12 points on a 4-for-8 shooting clip. The San Miguel star, though, grabbed 23 rebounds, dished out three assists and made two blocks as his team remained miserable with a 3-4 record.

 CJay Perez and Juami Tiongson tried to lead the late-game rally for the Beermen and ended up with 14 and 12 markers, respectively.

 The Scores:

 GINEBRA 93 – Rosario 22, Brownlee 19, Holt 15, J.Aguilar 11, Thompson 8, Abarrientos 8, Ahanmisi 7, Cu 3, Adamos 0.

 SAN MIGUEL 81 – Narcis 17, Perez 14, Tiongson 12, Fajardo 12, Cruz 9, Lassiter 6, Cahilig 6, Ross 3, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 0, Enciso 0.

 Quarterscores: 16-16, 47-31, 66-50, 93-81

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