TROY SAYS 'INNER CHILD,' SHOT AT WINNING TITLES PROMPTED MOVE TO GINEBRA

THE inner child in Troy Rosario prompted him to pick Barangay Ginebra as his team of destination when he entered free agency.

But more than that, it is the chance to vie for PBA championships on a consistent basis factored in this decision to play for the Gin Kings.

Rosario played his first game with Barangay Ginebra on Tuesday, a culmination of his childhood dream when he started lacing up his shoes to pick up the sport.

READ Ginebra opens campaign looking sharp in masterful win over NLEX

"Finally, it's been a childhood dream nga eh to wear that jersey. Talagang masarap sa pakiramdam," said Rosario on Tuesday after Barangay Ginebra claimed the win in its first game of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

"Pagdating ko pa lang dito sa venue, talagang ‘yun ‘yung tinignan ko eh, kung nasaan ‘yung jersey ko. Finally, masusuot ka na rin," said Rosario.

Rosario said the crucial period after his contract with Blackwater expired at the end of the PBA Governors’ Cup saw him talk to teams which were interested in him.

PHOTO: PBA Images

Rosario admitted Ginebra was the last team that spoke to him through the intercession of Scottie Thompson, his former teammate dating back to their amateur days with Hapee Toothpaste in the PBA D-League, and with Gilas Pilipinas.

"Finally, parang ‘yung inner child ko ‘yung parang um-ano sa akin na why not try Ginebra. Kinausap ako ni Scottie na kausapin mo si Boss Al [Chua]. Nag-ano na ako na… kausapin si Boss Al kasi siya na lang ‘yung hindi nakikipag-usap na ano eh, kung ‘Boss, kung interesado kayo sa akin, puwede ako’," said Rosario.

"Naging maayos naman ‘yung usapan. Finally, nagkasundo. Actually, last minute na kumbaga para malaman ko lang kung ano ang plano nila. Nung tinawagan ko, parang ‘yun na ‘yun. Nung sinabi niya na ganito, okay na. Parang gusto ko rin talaga mag-Ginebra," said Rosario.

The 32-year-old also admitted that he feels that his window to win a championship is getting smaller, which gave him all the more season to play for Barangay Ginebra which is fresh from a runner-up finish in the Governors’ Cup and is coached by 25-time PBA titlist Tim Cone.

"’Yung free agency ko, ‘yan ang iniisip ko," said Rosario, referring to winning championships, a feat he has only did once during his stint with TNT in the 2021 Philippine Cup.

"Hindi na rin ako bumabata. So ‘yung goal na makuha ng championship pa hanggang matapos ‘yung career ko, ‘yun na talaga ‘yung No. 1. Ano mang mangyari, gusto kong pumasok sa playoffs. Once na nasa playoffs ka, ‘yun na ‘yung chance. With a couple of games, talagang padagdag ng padagdag ‘yung chance na makakuha ng championship," said Rosario.

Rosario started his Ginebra career by contributing nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the 109-100 win over NLEX, although he only shot 4-for-11 from the field and fouled out in the final eight seconds when the result of the game was already settled.

The former National University standout said he was still on cloud nine during his first outing with the Gin Kings.

"Sobrang excited ako kanina. Hindi ko alam kung anong nangyari sa akin. Pero para sa akin, good first game," said Rosario.

2024-12-11T16:10:33Z