Troy targeting vindication

Barangay Ginebra star Troy Rosario is extra motivated to earn a slot in the final roster of Gilas Pilipinas.

Rosario seeks redemption as he tries to wear the tricolor once again after a forgettable Gilas stint three years ago.

The 6-foot-7 athletic forward was part of the national squad that lost to Indonesia in the gold medal match of the pandemic-delayed Hanoi Southeast Asian Games in 2022.

That painful defeat snapped the Philippines’ 13 straight top podium finishes in the biennial meet.

“Of course, you’ll try to bounce back if you lose. That’s how basketball is. You lose, you try to bounce back. This is my chance to bounce back with Gilas,” Rosario said after the Kings’ 86-91 loss to TNT in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Rosario got the call-up from the Tim Cone-mentored Gilas following the unfortunate injuries suffered by starting center Kai Sotto and backup forward Kevin Quiambao while playing for their clubs in Japan and South Korea, respectively.

His inclusion in the 13-man pool somehow reinforced Cone’s crew with just a month before Gilas embarks on the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifier with visits in Taiwan and New Zealand.

“When they asked me about it, I immediately said yes. I’m willing to play again and compete for a spot in the final 12 roster. They did not guarantee me of a slot, so I told boss Al (Chua) when he asked me to join the pool that I’d participate even as a practice player,” Rosario said.

The 32-year-old cager will fly with Gilas in Doha, Qatar early next month for a training camp where Cone is expected to assess and decide the Gilas composition.

“I’m joining the training camp to see if I’ll get a chance to get into the Final 12. I’m preparing for it,” he said.

Regardless of whether he’ll make the cut or not, Rosario was happy to heed the call for national duty.

“Happy, after how many years, I’m here. I miss it. It’s a different feeling to play for the country,” he said.

Gilas is unbeaten in four games after the first two windows to reserve a seat in the main draw in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 5 to 17 August.

Despite already qualified in the tournament proper, Cone wants his wards to stay on the roll to build confidence and earn a favorable seeding.

Gilas is set to face host Taiwan on 20 February before flying to New Zealand for the much-anticipated rematch with the Tall Blacks on the 23rd.