IT looked like Troy Rosario was taking part in the highlight side event, instead of the main event of the PBA All-Star weekend on Sunday night.
The TNT Katropa rookie showed a glimpse of his dunking prowess in the All-Star game that was worthy of his inclusion in the Slam Dunk Contest in the future.
Rosario bared he would’ve wanted to participate in the Slam Dunk contest if he knew his hyperextended knee would heal earlier than expected.
“’Di pa ako one-hundred percent kasi eh (kaya ‘di nakasali slam dunk), kagagaling ko lang sa injury,” Rosario said. “Nung sinabi sakin, ‘di ako sure na makakaabot.”
“Pero sayang kasi gumagaling na tuhod ko ngayon,” he was quick to add. “Maganda sana kung nakasali ako. Ongoing therapy ko.”
[See Paul Lee has good laugh as he gets away with foul in final All-Star play]
Of his handful of dunks, two stood out: a double-pump, reverse slam in transition and a one-handed alley-oop conversion off a Gabe Norwood pass.
Instead of the slam-dunk contest, the athletic 6-foot-7 forward settled for a spot in the three-point shootout — as replacement for original choice Larry Fonacier.
“’Di naman talaga dapat ako, nag-back out lang talaga yung in-assign sa team namin, so sinabi na ako na lang daw,” Rosario disclosed. “Wala akong magagawa rookie ako eh.”
Rosario also wound up as one of only two freshman, along with Scottie Thompson, who took part in the All-Star game, where he showed he belongs by putting up 21 points on 10-of- 17 shooting, eight boards, one block, and one assist in 26 minutes off the bench to emerge as an MVP candidate.
“Masaya na nakikita mga fans na nag-e-enjoy,” Rosario said. “Thankful kami na maraming taong nagpunta para suportahan ang all-star. Para sa kanila naman talaga tong game na ‘to.”
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