Troy Rosario made four triples on his way to 22 points for the Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Jan. 5.
“Be aggressive and be the aggressor.”
Those were words written on the board in Ginebra’s dugout inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Jan. 5.
Troy Rosario followed that to the letter and the Gin Kings got the better of San Miguel, 93-81, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Rosario had his best game in a Ginebra uniform yet, turning in 22 big points including 16 in the second half as the Gin Kings hiked their tally to 5-2.
He also had 10 rebounds and one block to his name.
“It’s what’s written on the board sa pre-game namin: 'Be aggressive and be the aggressor,'” said Rosario when asked about his explosive performance.
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Troy Rosario receives praise from Ginebra coach Tim Cone in the post-game press conference. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
His best moment came in the fourth period, where he made back-to-back three-pointers that repelled the rallying Beermen.
Rosario said San Miguel was also simply giving him enough space to launch those baskets.
“I just take what the defense is giving me. They (Beermen) are clogging the paint. Noong binabantayan ako ni June Mar (Fajardo), ng import (Jabari Narcis), talagang nilalabas ko sila,” said Rosario.
“Kasi that’s also the game plan: to space out the bigs para magkaroon ng lane to attack the paint. Coming into this game, the plan was to get to the paint more than the outside.”
[RELATED STORY: Jamie Malonzo still on the sidelines in Ginebra's win vs San Miguel, Tim Cone explains why]
In the end, Rosario deferred to his teammates for making his offensive outburst possible.
“Mas naii-space out ko ang sarili ko kasi lahat binabantayan, eh. So hindi alam sino ang iiskor samin,” he added.