PBA legend thinks NU standout Troy Rosario will be a ‘legit PBA star’
MANILA, Philippines — Ronnie Magsanoc, one of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players, believes National University big man Troy Rosario has a bright future ahead of him.
Rosario made a name for himself in the UAAP after leading the Bulldogs to their first championship in 60 years and he continues to show he is one of the best players in the PBA D-League while playing for Magsanoc’s Hapee.
The 6-foot-7 Rosario scored 14 points that went with seven rebounds in a hard-fought win over the FEU-MJM Builders on Monday and Magsanoc can’t help but marvel at his potential.
“Troy Rosario is going to be a legit PBA star in the future,” Magsanoc declared.
“I’m thankful for what coach Ronnie said about me but I think it’s still a long process. I still have to work on many things,” Rosario said in Filipino.
Rosario said he still has to improve his decision-making especially in crucial moments of the game.
“Sometimes I feel rattled and I don’t know what to do. I don’t have the right mindset yet during crucial stages of the game,” he added.
Rosario has the height and build to play as a power forward or even a center in the pros and he’s also mobile and athletic enough to be a small forward.
He has also developed a decent outside shot extending to the three-point area which makes him a tough cover considering that he can also put the ball on the floor and score on the low block.
But Rosario knows he can’t rely on his skills alone and that he also has to adjust with the style of play in the D-League and in the PBA.
“I’m still getting used to the physicality because it’s not that physical in the UAAP. The D-League is very different that’s why I’m still trying to adjust,” he admitted.
Rosario said he’ll apply for the PBA Draft next year but he won’t say he’s ready for it.
“We’ll see. I’m using this experience in the D-League to help me moving forward.”
He may not know it yet but his coach does.
“He is just making a stopover here in the D-League to show what he has,” said Magsanoc.
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