CHICAGO - With the way losses tend to pile up at Blackwater, it no longer shocks the senses to see the franchise drop three games in five days.
Quickly, the heat of their 0-3 slide turned into a dumpster fire after the Bossing sent home import Ricky Ledo.
A former Dallas Maverick, Ledo's credentials promised a feast. But after scoring just 18 points on 6-of-38 shooting in two games, he helped bring the famine instead.
READ Blackwater bringing in George King as Cameron Clark unavailable
But in a Governors' Cup campaign covered by darkness and foreboding, a light shines.
Finally free from a calf injury that sidelined him for "2-3 weeks" due to soreness and inflammation, the 6-foot-7, 218-pound power forward is playing like he has a vendetta against the league.
Troy is averaging 17.3 points and 4.6 rebounds a game while shooting 57.5 percent from the field (19-of-33) and 37.5 percent from 3-point range (3-of-8).
TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
The former NU star and Gilas Pilipinas soldier couldn't have picked a better time to reestablish his footing among the elite.
He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of this conference,
As I have written previously, Rosario turned down a three-year, $25,000 a month to play in Japan.
He opted to sign an extension with the Tropang Giga. On September 19, 2022 Rosario was sent to Blackwater in a three-team trade that sent Calvin Oftana to TNT and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser to NLEX.
It was a decision that Troy says he had come to regret while spending the past 23 months toiling at Blackwater, a dungeon where championship dreams go to die.
Still, the PBA champ and four-time All-Star is not ruling out staying with the Bossing.
"If magkasundo sa offer. Why not?" he told me via text message.
A RETURN TO TNT, HOWEVER, IS MORE COMPLICATED.
Troy admits that while he did harbor hard feelings toward TNT, he had "moved on." Although he refuses to carry a grudge, he won't forget, either.
"Nasa ICU anak ko kaya bumaba laro ko tapos they traded me after makalabas ng anak ko. Di pa ako nahabangon tapos trinade ako," Rosario recalled.
It's amazing how quickly the cord was cut on the fiercely loyal Rosario while a long leash appears to have been given to a disgruntled, disloyal Mikey Williams.
Life ain't fair. This time, though, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2015 draft will be sure to get his fair market value. Even if that means leaving the PBA.
"I'm still open pa rin (to going overseas) if ever magkaroon ng chance," the 32-year old said.
Troy Rosario has persevered through tumult and uncertainty. After a little more wait there will be plenty of sunshine.
And money.
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