ANTIPOLO – Troy Rosario said he was overwhelmed by mixed emotions when he finally came face to face with former team Blackwater since his transfer to Barangay Ginebra just before the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
Their paths crossed on Sunday night as the Kings scored an 86-63 blowout at the Ynares Center in a loss that put the Bossing on the brink of elimination in the mid-season tournament.
READ Ginebra celebrates Malonzo return with romp over Blackwater
The Bossing’s total output of 63 was the second lowest in the season since Ginebra’s 64-73 loss to Rain or Shine in the Governors’ Cup in Candon, Ilocos Sur.
“Masaya ako na nanalo (kami), pero sad din dahil sila ang tinalo namin,” said Rosario following the Kings’ sixth win in nine outings.
“Alam mo naman galing din ako dun, so alam ko rin yung struggle (ng team).”
The 32-year-old power forward had modest numbers against the Bossing, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, an assist and a steal in 27 minutes of play.
Rosario was actually just two games removed from scoring 22 points and 10 rebounds in his best game as a Ka-Barangay in the Kings’ 93-81 win over defending champion San Miguel Beer to start the year.
“Nasa ibang team na ako ngayon kaya kailangan ko ng mag-move on,” said the former National University star.
Rosario became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the Governors’ Cup and he used the opportunity to take his act to Ginebra despite a lucrative offer by Blackwater to renew his contract.
“It is what it is. Ganyan talaga ang basketball,” he said of his career decision.
The first meeting with Blackwater however, was not as emotional as his first encounter with another former team in TNT.
“Yung first game ko (kasi) sa TNT na-move ng na-move, kasi kada makakalaban ko yung TNT injured ako lagi,” said Rosario, who spent the first seven years of his PBA career with the telecommunication franchise before being traded to Blackwater.
“Kaya mas ramdam ko yung ngayon kasi iba rin yung pinagsamahan namin dun.”
Rosario later on had a tight embrace with Blackwater coach Jeff Cariaso when the two went out of the playing venue together.
“First time din namin na magkita after my decision. Masaya na nakita ko ulit sila,” he said. “Tinuring ko rin naman na brothers yung mga teammate ko din. Siyempre I feel for them.”
But Troy also saw a bright side on his decision to leave Blackwater as other players like Richard Escoto and Clifford Jopia are now being given the playing minutes they deserve.
“Happy for them na sila-sila pa rin yung andun sa lineup lalo na sila Richard (Escoto) na nakikita nang naglalaro ngayon,” said Rosario. “They earned their minutes naman. Yung mga naiwan kong minutes binigay sa kanila. So I’m happy na nakakapag-perform sila.”
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