PBA Draft Focus: Troy Rosario looking to emulate mentor Danny I.
Even before entering for the 2015 Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft, Troy Rosario has already enjoyed a fruitful career in the amateur ranks.
He had a brilliant end to his college career as he helped lead the National University Bulldogs to its first UAAP Basketball title since 1954, and dominated in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games as he led the Philippines to the title.
Now, he is expected to be a franchise-changer as a probable first or second overall pick in the annual rookie selection set on August 23.
But even before he sets foot in the PBA, Rosario is adding another feather in his cap: an inclusion in the national team pool.
“Here in Gilas, this is where I will improve,” Rosario said. “This is where I will learn new things, things I did not learn in college and the PBA D-League.”
“This is a huge experience for me.”
Rosario wasn’t part of the initial pool released by Gilas Pilipinas coach Tab Baldwin, but he eventually worked his way and was even included in the Nationals’ trip to Estonia.
While he’s getting invaluable lessons from Gilas veterans like Jimmy Alapag and Asi Taulava during his national team stint, Rosario has already learned a few tricks from another seasoned PBA player.
Danny Ildefonso.
Ildefonso, A back-to-back PBA MVP, has put Rosario under his tutelage during the 2014 UAAP Finals when the Bulldogs faced the Far Eastern University.
Rosario was already a menace in the UAAP even before Ildefonso guided him in the Finals, but the Bulldog faced difficulty when he squared-up against another versatile forward in the Tamaraws’ Mac Bello.
Ildefonso then trained Rosario before Game 2 and immediately elevated Rosario’s game.
“Danny and I would have one-on-one sessions for 30 minutes after our practice in NU during the Finals,” Rosario said.
“We got close during the UAAP Finals because he visited us during the training sessions and he would come up to me when I was shooting by myself. “
Rosario recalled Ildefonso telling him to use his size and not to rely on too much on his jumpshot.
“Danny told me that I was a big man and I should not focus too much on my outside shooting. He thought me post moves that I could use when needed.”
Rosario may not have played a single minute in the PBA yet, but he has a plan well set-up he laid out for himself.
Toppling Ildefonso’s legacy is a tough deal but Rosario has just that in mind.
“If I can emulate what he did that would be the goal but I would also like to surpass what he did and show that I am a pride of Ilocos.”
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