All about effort, defense for Hotshots’ dela Rosa 

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

Defense has always been the main calling card of Magnolia.

For Rome dela Rosa, it was also his ticket to see more hardcourt action, something he took full advantage of in the Hotshots’ duel against NLEX on Sunday.

“It’s just effort. Coach put me in there to play defense in the second half,” he said after posting a new career-high with 14 points, four rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in the 105-94 victory.

“They trusted me to do my job and I’m glad everything went well. The points came along. Defense first and offense will come eventually.”

More importantly, dela Rosa played his earnest to keep Road Warriors super rookie Kiefer Ravena in check for the majority of the fourth period.

This kind of performance is just what the former San Beda Red Lion needs to stay on the floor and play a major role in coach Chito Victolero’s rotation.

But that’s the least of dela Rosa’s concerns as he just feels glad to see things coming together for the Hotshots with their injured players now coming back from recovery.

“It’s nice to have everyone at full strength and hopefully, we can just continue to keep going,” he said. “I’m just gonna go out there and it’s all gonna start with effort, and hopefully, something big will happen for us.”