game ape Latest Gilas call-up gives Troy Rosario a chance for redemption

Troy Rosario during a stint with Gilas Pilipinas. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The last time Troy Rosario donned a Gilas Pilipinas jersey, results weren’t too pretty.

Now with a chance to represent the national team again, Rosario is hoping for a different outcome.

Article continues after this advertisement

“My last stint with Gilas for the SEA (Southeast Asian) Games in 2022 didn’t really end well so maybe this could be a bounce back,” said Rosario after Ginebra’s loss to TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday at Philsports Arena.

FEATURED STORIES SPORTS PBA: TNT shuts down Ginebra behind Calvin Oftana, RHJ SPORTS Eastern in QF, but loses import to injury and faces big decision SPORTS PBA: Mikey Williams says he 'always' wants to play for TNT

READ: Troy Rosario joins Gilas pool ahead of Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers

“I said ‘why not?’ [to the opportunity] I wouldn’t refuse that… This is for the country. That’s always how I think of these. Whenever you’re included in the national team, don’t refuse because it’s for the country.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Since 1991, the Philippines notched 13 gold in the regional meet’s basketball games until 2021 when its decade-long dominance in the hardwood was halted by Indonesia.

Article continues after this advertisement

Troy Rosario during a stint with Gilas Pilipinas. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Rosario was a member of that Gilas squad.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: SEA Games: Gilas Pilipinas’ reign ends as Indonesia gets basketball gold

With a shot at redemption, Rosario has recently been balling out for the Gin Kings in an overall hot-and-cold conference.

Article continues after this advertisement

Despite Ginebra’s latest loss against its Governors’ Cup Finals rival, Rosario nearly notched a double-double of 16 points and eight rebounds.

Even though the former Blackwater franchise player is flaunting career-best numbers, it’s still not a guarantee that he would make the cut for Gilas’ final count for the third and final window of the 2025 Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers.

He has an edge, though, in the form of Ginebra and Gilas coach Tim Cone.

“It’s still not sure if I’ll be in the Final 12 but like I always say, as long as you’re in the pool, there’s a chance for you to reach the Final 12,” Rosario said.

Philippine trade undersecretary Allan Gepty, who is leading the negotiations happening in Dubai for the southeast Asian country, said they will hold talks until Wednesday to complete the remaining work for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

royale777 Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

SIGN ME UP

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

“At leastgame ape, I know the system that will be used. Maybe coach [Tim] will tweak things a little bit but the system and plays will be like the ones in Ginebra.”

READ NEXT Australian Open journey over but Emma Raducanu glad to be fit ... Japanese star Roki Sasaki announces joining LA Dodgers EDITORS' PICK Watch out for these Filipino artists at Singapore’s leading art fair Legarda bats for food security anew amid report of rising hunger in PH Biden won’t enforce US TikTok ban – official What will happen to TikTok on Apple, Google app stores on Jan 19? Probe into PhilHealth’s unpaid reimbursements pushed Norovirus outbreak reported at evacuation shelter for LA fire victims MOST READ Isko Moreno leads 2025 Manila mayoral race surveys Doctor assaulted in road altercation, suspect nabbed BSP eyes PH shift to coin-lite society PH, China agree to honor provisional understanding on Ayungin trips Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments