Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario slams the ball against San Miguel Beer in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup faceoff, January 4, 2025, at the Araneta Coliseum. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — Barangay Ginebra San Miguel has been steadily showing signs of progress with their retooled roster in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

Equipped with stretch big man Troy Rosario whom they acquired days before the second conference, the Tim Cone-mentored team has put together an impressive 5-2 record as of writing, including wins over the Magnolia Hotshots and the San Miguel Beermen in their last two games.

The latter came through a statement 93-81 victory over the powerhouse that is San Miguel Beer, and the one who spearheaded this was no other than their newest gunner in Rosario.

“From this game and sa mga last games ko, I just took what the defense was giving me,” said the 6-foot-7 veteran, who fired 22 points (4/8 3pts) on top of 10 rebounds and a block — his best game so far while wearing his childhood team

Rosario provided spacing and aggressiveness for the Gin Kings who were up against SMB superstar June Mar Fajardo, and this helped Justin Brownlee, Stephen Holt, and the rest of the Barangay to convert on their attempts inside on a high clip.

“They were clogging the paint, binabantayan ako ni June Mar at nung import so nilalabas ko sila,” said the National University product, whose team shot 24-48 (50%) from the two-point area while also putting up 38 points in the paint against the Beermen’s frontline.

“Yun ang game plan eh, is to space out yung bigs para magkaroon ng lane to attack,” furthered Rosario, while also sharing how his teammates’ caliber also helped him find himself with quality shots. “Mas may space ako kasi lahat binabantayan eh.”

No other than Cone was impressed by what Rosario brought last Sunday, and has been bringing ever since he entered into the squad.

"It was a lot of heart from this guy," raved the Gilas Pilipinas mentor when asked about the factors which helped Ginebra against San Miguel.

“He was all over the floor. He’s always been all over the floor defensively for us, but he was also huge on the offensive side, knocking down shots, getting offensive rebounds.”

Ginebra is coming off a Governors’ Cup Finals appearance wherein they were dominated and exhausted by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and TNT Tropang GIGA in six games, mostly inside the paint, thus, the acquisition of Rosario during the break in between conferences.

And so far, Rosario is just what the doctor ordered for the perennial crowd-favorites, said Coach Tim.

“He is on the boards, and he has been that X factor for us,” said Cone, whose team even needed to tap the services of the retired Joe Devance just to have an able frontline player against TNT.

Now, the Gin Kings have Rosario aside from Japeth Aguilar, Ben Adamos, and Raymond Aguilar in their frontline, and they are also expected to welcome back another player who can elevate their ceiling further Jamie Malonzo in their next games.

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