PBA: Extra work pays off for birthday boy Troy Rosario | ABS-CBN
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PBA: Extra work pays off for birthday boy Troy Rosario
PBA: Extra work pays off for birthday boy Troy Rosario
Camille B. Naredo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 21, 2018 08:31 PM PHT
MANILA, Philippines – Hard work combined with a bit of birthday luck helped TNT forward Troy Rosario submit his best performance of the conference so far for the KaTropa on Sunday.
MANILA, Philippines – Hard work combined with a bit of birthday luck helped TNT forward Troy Rosario submit his best performance of the conference so far for the KaTropa on Sunday.
The high-leaping forward turned 26 on Saturday, and the next day he torched the Meralco Bolts for a conference-high 22 points built on six-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. He also added 10 rebounds and an assist to his stat line.
The high-leaping forward turned 26 on Saturday, and the next day he torched the Meralco Bolts for a conference-high 22 points built on six-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. He also added 10 rebounds and an assist to his stat line.
With Rosario leading the charge, the KaTropa downed the Bolts, 99-81, for their second win in a row. They improved to 3-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup.
With Rosario leading the charge, the KaTropa downed the Bolts, 99-81, for their second win in a row. They improved to 3-2 in the PBA Philippine Cup.
"Parang na-extend 'yung birthday ko," a beaming Rosario said after the game.
"Parang na-extend 'yung birthday ko," a beaming Rosario said after the game.
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His coach, Nash Racela, stressed that birthday "bwenas" had little to do with Rosario's performance. Rather, it was the work put in by the former National University slotman that led to his scoring exploits.
His coach, Nash Racela, stressed that birthday "bwenas" had little to do with Rosario's performance. Rather, it was the work put in by the former National University slotman that led to his scoring exploits.
"I think it's just a product of Troy's hard work because he takes a lot of shots before practice. And then even after practice, naiiwan talaga siya to take more shots. So yeah, not really surprised with the way he shot today," Racela explained.
"I think it's just a product of Troy's hard work because he takes a lot of shots before practice. And then even after practice, naiiwan talaga siya to take more shots. So yeah, not really surprised with the way he shot today," Racela explained.
For Rosario, it was crucial that they got the time to familiarize themselves with the venue. Sunday's game was played at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, instead of more usual venues like the Araneta Coliseum or the Mall of Asia Arena. Thus, it helped them immensely that the KaTropa practiced at Ynares on Saturday.
For Rosario, it was crucial that they got the time to familiarize themselves with the venue. Sunday's game was played at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City, instead of more usual venues like the Araneta Coliseum or the Mall of Asia Arena. Thus, it helped them immensely that the KaTropa practiced at Ynares on Saturday.
"Before practice, talagang nag-shooting (kami)," Rosario explained. "May mga toka-toka kaming magshu-shooting, so before and after, talagang nagshu-shooting kami."
"Before practice, talagang nag-shooting (kami)," Rosario explained. "May mga toka-toka kaming magshu-shooting, so before and after, talagang nagshu-shooting kami."
Rosario was the one who did most of the damage, but his teammates also found their stroke from beyond the arc. As a team, TNT made 18 of its 40 three-point attempts. It was a marked improvement for the KaTropa, who entered Sunday's game against Meralco as the second-worst three-point shooting team in the league at 25.8%.
Rosario was the one who did most of the damage, but his teammates also found their stroke from beyond the arc. As a team, TNT made 18 of its 40 three-point attempts. It was a marked improvement for the KaTropa, who entered Sunday's game against Meralco as the second-worst three-point shooting team in the league at 25.8%.
"Nasabi sa amin ng mga coaches na 'yun nga, 'yung mga tinitira naming three-points, mga hindi naman dapat 'yung mga tinitira namin. So naging responsible lang kami sa mga tira namin," said Rosario.
"Nasabi sa amin ng mga coaches na 'yun nga, 'yung mga tinitira naming three-points, mga hindi naman dapat 'yung mga tinitira namin. So naging responsible lang kami sa mga tira namin," said Rosario.
TNT's 18 three-pointers were the most made by any team so far in the PBA Philippine Cup.
TNT's 18 three-pointers were the most made by any team so far in the PBA Philippine Cup.
For Racela, however, their hot shooting against Meralco won't mean much if they can't keep it up in their succeeding games.
For Racela, however, their hot shooting against Meralco won't mean much if they can't keep it up in their succeeding games.
"Our goal as a team is to be consistent on both ends," he pointed out.
"Our goal as a team is to be consistent on both ends," he pointed out.
Thus, he expects Rosario to continue to play at a high level next Saturday, when they play against Magnolia – even if it is no longer his birthday weekend.
Thus, he expects Rosario to continue to play at a high level next Saturday, when they play against Magnolia – even if it is no longer his birthday weekend.
"It won't be his birthday every day. It's nice that he shot well while celebrating his birthday, but he also needs to shoot well during other days. That's how you become consistent," the coach stressed. "Next game, wala ng may birthday."
"It won't be his birthday every day. It's nice that he shot well while celebrating his birthday, but he also needs to shoot well during other days. That's how you become consistent," the coach stressed. "Next game, wala ng may birthday."
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