ANTIPOLO – Troy Rosario sustained an injury in the recently-concluded PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series, making his status with Gilas Pilipinas uncertain for, at least, the coming Doha friendly games.
Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone said Rosario is day-to-day for the national team after sustaining a knee injury in Game One of Barangay Ginebra’s quarterfinal series against Meralco.
“He got hit, Charlie horse in the side of the knee in Game One. Then, in Game Two, the same knee got a knee-to-knee. His knee swelled,” said Cone, who added that Ginebra trainers had to work on Rosario so that that swelling would subside in time for Game Three.
Rosario suffered cramps on Sunday after playing for 35 minutes and finishing with 12 points in Ginebra’s 94-87 win over Meralco in Game Three at the Ynares Center.
“His knee is swollen. According to our trainer, he is day-to-day. He takes a break tomorrow, we go to Inspire [Academy], we will check him out in Inspire. But (the trainer) thinks he is going to be out for five to seven days minimum,” said Cone.
While hopeful for the best, Cone is bracing for the possibility that Rosario would be out for the friendlies against Egypt, Lebanon, and Qatar, a vital preparation for the February window where Gilas will face Chinese Taipei on February 20 and New Zealand on February 23.
“He is going to miss most, if not, all of Doha. We will see how it works out,” said Cone.
Rosario’s potential absence could be another blow to Gilas, which lost Kai Sotto to an ACL tear suffered in the Japan B.League that will keep him out for nine to 12 months.
Rosario was called up for Gilas to serve as an alternate with Japeth Aguilar elevated to the main squad. But Aguilar will be out for Gilas Pilipinas in the Doha preparation to attend to a 'personal matter.'
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