TROY Rosario won his second PBA title - but his first in five years - after Barangay Ginebra’s Game Seven win over TNT in the 50th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Rosario’s previous title, coincidentally, came when he was still playing for TNT in the 2021 Philippine Cup semi-bubble when the Tropang Giga defeated Magnolia in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The journey in between was a roller coaster one.
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In 2022, Rosario was traded by TNT to Blackwater as part of a three-team deal that brought Calvin Oftana from NLEX to the Tropang 5G. Winning came far and in between during his time with Blackwater, and Rosario admitted it was a tough time.
“‘Yung road na ‘yun, isa sa mga nagpatatag sa akin especially nung nasa Blackwater ako,” Rosario said. “Hindi kami nanalo ng mga games para umabot sa quarterfinals pero ‘yun ‘yung mga time na nagpatibay sa akin dahil kahit talo, may natututunan.”
Positivity was what kept Rosario going during those lean years with Blackwater, putting in the same work even as losses piled up.
“Nandoon ‘yung grit everyday na sa practice na pupunta ka kahit alam mo na mahihirapan, pero lalaban,” said Rosario.
“Mindset lang. Positive mindset lang lagi. I know ‘yung capabilities ko and kung paano ako magtrabaho. Hindi na ako mada-down kasi alam ko kung paano ako maglaro eh, at napatunayan ko na siguro ‘yun sa mga dati kong team at sa Gilas,” said Rosario.
In 2024, Rosario became a free agent and signed with one of the top teams in the league in Barangay Ginebra. But the championship came after two two runner-up finishes, both to his former ballclub TNT in the 49th Season Governors’ and Commissioner’s Cup.
“Sweet kasi alam ko na hindi ako nakapag-perform nung last Commissioner’s Cup dahil sa injury. I’m happy na ngayon, healthy at nagawa ko ‘yung role na pinapagawa sa akin and finally, nakakuha ng championship na healthy rin,” he added.
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