MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone said he is “ecstatic” to have veteran forward Troy Rosario as the newest member of the team.
Cone, fresh from leading Gilas Pilipinas to a two-game sweep of the second window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers, disclosed that ever since before, the 6-foot-6 Rosario was already in his “wish list” of players he’d like to coach.
“We’re ecstatic that Troy chose us. He’s one of those guys I’ve watched from a distance and said to myself that I’d love to have him on our team. Now the reality is true,” Cone told the Manila Times.
Rosario had his first day of practice on Wednesday with the Gin Kings as the team began its preparation for the Commissioner’s Cup.
Ginebra played the entire Governors’ Cup shorthanded after missing the services of Filipino-Americans Jamie Malonzo (calf) and Jeremiah Gray (knee).
Making matters worse was the loss of offseason acquisition Isaac Go to a kneecap fracture during the early goings of the Governors’ Cup elimination round.
Ginebra managed to reach the Finals of the import-spiced conference this season, before eventually bowing to champion TNT in six games.
But with Rosario now in the mix, Cone believes the former National University big man’s versatility will benefit the Gin Kings moving forward.
“He’s going to impact us in so many ways,” Cone said. “From defense to rebounding to assisting to scoring and stretching the floor. It will be fun to throw him in the mix and see how far he can go.”
And the American mentor said the addition of Rosario would not have been possible if not for Ginebra team governor Alfrancis Chua’s intervention.
“We have to give Coach Al all the credit for convincing him to join us,” Cone said.
A veteran of many Gilas Pilipinas teams, Rosario declined Blackwater’s multi-year max deal at the end of the Governors’ Cup to test free agency.
Converge and TNT also tried to sign up the much sought-after Filipino forward, but eventually, Rosario chose to play for Ginebra, saying it’s his “childhood dream” to see action for the PBA’s most popular squad.
“I’m very grateful to be part of Ginebra. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child (to play for Ginebra),” Rosario said in Filipino.
And while Rosario won’t make his Ginebra debut till December 11 when the team plays NLEX, the 32-year-old many-time Gilas Pilipinas member said he’s already excited to play and learn from Cone.
“Just thinking of it (his Ginebra debut), I’m already excited,” he said. “I know I’ll be learning a lot from him (Cone) and from the entire team.”
Rosario said he promised to learn the system intently, knowing that Ginebra struggled in the absence of Go, Malonzo and ray.
“Honestly, I know what I can bring is to be the extra guy in the line up because with the loss of Isaac, Jamie and Jeremiah, their rotation really got affected,” he observed. “That is why I need to learn the system quickly so I can help the team.”
