THE Converge Fiberxers now looked at the forefront of the Troy Rosario sweepstakes.
The aggressive independent team wasted no time launching its bid to sign the unrestricted PBA free agent, opening the lines of communication with a meeting between Rosario and the team's top management.
“Nag-usap na si boss Frank (Lao) at si Troy. Now, we’re just waiting for the other aspect of the negotiations. But we’re excited,” said a Converge insider who requested anonymity.
READ Converge makes a bid to sign unrestricted free agent Troy Rosario
It will be recalled that Frank’s son, Jacob, bared the team's interest in the former Gilas Pilipinas slotman, in the hope of getting him onboard in time for the Commissioner’s Cup which is set to begin on November 27.
Agile at 6-7, with deadly shooting and top-notch defense, Rosario can make an instant impact to a Converge team seeking its first-ever championship in the league since acquiring the Alaska Aces franchise in 2022.
“No one’s rushing but this is part of our priorities now, the negotiations with Troy,” said the source, who revealed that Converge is determined to outbid the TNT Tropang Giga and Blackwater Bossing with its offer.
“It’s up to Troy. We already told him our plans for him and for this young team. He’ll have a major role in the team’s bid to win our first-ever championship and hopefully it will come the soonest,” he added.
In the ongoing Governors’ Cup, Converge fell just a win short of a maiden semifinal appearance, losing to the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen in the deciding Game Five as June Mar Fajardo went off for 40 points and 24 rebounds.
Rosario was unavailable for comment, but made this post on his IG story.
If there is one team that can go head-to-head against the ‘rich teams’ in the PBA, it is Converge.
Aside from franchise owner Dennis Anthony Uy, who is on Forbes' list of wealthiest Filipinos, the team is also backed by billionaire sports patron Frank Lao and Pampanga’s top sports backer Gov. Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
Former PBA MVP Arwind Santos said Rosario can give this young Converge team an instant boost if he comes on board.
“'Yun nga lang wala pa sila Balti (Justine Baltazar), pinahirapan na ang San Miguel sa quarters, pano pa pag andyan na si Troy saka yung mga rookies at veterans ng team? Ang tindi nun,” said the former San Miguel star.
Arwind gives the thumbs-up
“Grabe line-up nun ng Converge, kasi may Troy ka na may Balti ka pa, may Justin Arana ka pa. You can never go wrong with that line-up tapos may Alec Stockton pa sila at (Schonny) Winston, malalim pa ang bench nila. Grabe yun."
Asked if Converge has the capacity to take care of the 32-year old Rosario, Santos answered in the affirmative.
“'Matic yan. Maalaga ang Converge tapos andun pa si tatay (Pineda). Hindi nagpapabaya sa player yun. Kaya kung ako si Troy, susunggaban ko na 'yan. Minsan lang ang chance na mag-offer mga yan.
“Sana makita ni Troy yung value sa kanya ng Converge at kung ano ang maibibigay sa career n'ya ng team. Maganda pa dyan, isa siya sa mga magiging heroes if ever makuha ng Converge ang championship ng kasama siya,” he added.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
