I don't understand why we need a Troy Rosario free-agent sweepstakes.
Why?
Can't Blackwater sign and trade him to the team that wants him the most?
TROY ROSARIO'S STATS
GP | PPG | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | |
2024 | 10 | 13.50 | 6.00 | 1.40 | 0.30 | 0.20 |
When the NU Bulldogs won its first UAAP championship since 1954, Troy Rosario was seen as the player that would most likely succeed in the PBA. Yes, during his time, Bobby Ray Parks was more known than him, but with Parks' yearning for an international career, all eyes were locked on Troy to represent the Bulldogs. Rosario went second overall in the 2015 PBA Draft after Mo Tautuaa in an underrated draft class that also had the likes of MVP Scottie Thompson, Finals MVP Chris Newsome, Maverick Ahanmisi, Baser Amer, Glenn Khobuntin, and Don Trollano. In his nine seasons in the PBA, the former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay has averaged double digits eight times. He is also a champion, a Mythical Second Teamer, and an All-Star MVP. Rosario was the needed piece to move Calvin Oftana to TNT, and it was during the time of his wife's pregnancy. And after two seasons with the Blackwater Bossing, Rosario is finally free to choose his team.
32 years old may be old in the NBA, but it's a prime year in the PBA. Rosario is expected to boost the championship aspirations of the team of his choice. If he goes to Ginebra, Rosario will correct their wrong when they traded Christian Standhardinger. While Japeth Aguilar has stepped up in the center position, he is also 37 years old. Moreover, chief C-Stan replacement Isaac Go is not ready to contend for the starting spot.
Regardless of whether it's the SMC or the MVP group, you can't discount that Blackwater will return to gutter hell after it. Take the Rey Nambatac trade as an example. Blackwater traded the Season 49 first-round and the Season 50 second-round pick they acquired from TNT to the Rain or Shine Elastopainters for Sting Rey.
Yeng Guiao turned one of those picks into Caelan Tiongson. Also, CYG tends to waste his second-round picks, second-generation players, and blue-chip stars but over the years, he has been able to luck out on diamonds in the rough. So while the Season 50 second-round pick might be a so-so acquisition for the SMC and MVP squads, there is a chance that Guiao could get a Jhonard Clarito, Adrian Nocum, Don Trollano, or Cyrus Baguio.
TNT | BLACKWATER |
REY NAMBATAC | JEWEL PONFERADA |
12.1PPG - 4.5RPG - 2.0APG - 0.7SPG - 13 GAMES | 1.7PPG - 1.6RPG - 0.8APG - 9 GAMES |
KIB MONTALBO | |
0.9PPG - 1.4RPG - 0.6APG - 7 GAMES | |
SEASON 53 | SECOND-ROUND PICK |
Meanwhile, when Blackwater ceded Nambatac to TNT, it felt like they never gained anything. If you combine Kib Montalbo and Jewel Ponferada's averages and multiply them four times, Blackwater MIGHT equal Nambatac's current output.
Worse, Blackwater just gave TNT the tools to return to championship contention.
Instead of going solo, Dioceldo Sy needs to partner with another independent team owner. They can split names per conference or something. Terrafirma is pitiful because they were built to be trashy. Blackwater has been in the basketball landscape since the Hapee days of Ma Jian, Biboy Simon, Erwin Framo, Jovi Sese, and Joel Dualan. Ever Bilena has sponsored women's basketball and the Blu Detergent Kings was the team that brought Asi Taulava to popularity. Blackwater is the MVP side's Northport but with a suckier state.
BEST CASE SCENARIO
Troy Rosario has been released by Blackwater and for the lucky winner of his sweepstakes, I expect them to turn their finals appearances into championship celebrations. I think Ginebra has the best chance to sign Rosario because of their frontline discrepancies and a chance to return to Gilas Pilipinas.
TNT feels like a reset, and with the way he was unceremoniously traded, that could be a red flag for the NU Bulldog.
That said, I wish Rosario would just stick with Blackwater. I understand that Blackwater is not a safe choice in terms of job security, but I think it's okay for him to be the top guy of a bad team since he has already won awards and a championship. Also, moving to Ginebra, or any of the SMC teams for that matter, could slash his averages in half.
Don Trollano went from a star player in NLEX to a part-time starter in San Miguel. Also in the Beermen are former superstars-turned-by-the-ways like Terrence Romeo, Tautuaa, Jericho Cruz, Vic Manuel, and Jeron Teng. By choosing money over playing time, these players are wasting away their talents.
Imagine the journey of your average collegiate star. He saw action in a Division III Metro Manila school and a college scout wants him to move to his UAAP or NCAA school. In return, he has to sit out one year and finish his years of eligibility. By the time he applies for the PBA Draft, he's around 25 or 26. He is not a top pick, so he had to work his way from a rookie second-stringer to an all-star, depending on what team he lands in. His climb would be easier if he lucked out with an MVP or SMC squad, but it's worse if he grinds in a top squad, gets traded to a farm team, and works his way to become the best player of the squad, only to get traded back to a top team where he's going to be a starter for a year before the team gets a new shiny toy.
Ginebra might be his childhood team, but the team is also waiting for the returns of Jamie Malonzo, Go, and Jeremiah Gray. Furthermore, I am sold that the reason why Terrafirma is tanking is for them to give Ginebra a more suitable big man to replace Standhardinger. Rosario might be 6'7, but he plays like a power forward. Kai Sotto meanwhile, can pursue his NBA dreams with Tim Cone as mentor. The SMC will gladly give Kai all the perks that he needs and a chance to lead Gilas Pilipinas. Unlike most college players, Sotto is an international game veteran at the age of 22.
FINAL THOUGHTS
You can't blame the big teams for pursuing Troy Rosario. There is a reason why the best teams keep on winning and until Blackwater, Terrafirma, Northport, and even Phoenix understand what they need to do, the PBA will continue with this position as if we returned to the days of Toyota and Crispa.