MANILA, Philippines – With or without his name in the final 12, incoming Talk 'N Text rookie Troy Rosario considers it already a blessing to at least be part of the silver medal-winning Gilas Pilipinas side in the recent William Jones Cup in Taipei.
The lanky Rosario, one of only two freshmen to be named into the national pool, said should he get cut from the national team, he won't take it against Gilas coach Tab Baldwin, aware that he still has a lot to learn.
"Sa akin, kung hindi man ako makuha, alam ko na kakailanganin ko pa yung experience, pero kung makuha naman ako, masaya pa rin dahil may matututunan pa ako," Rosario confided to Philstar.com on Tuesday during Talk 'N Text's practice at the Moro Lorenzo gym.
The 6-foot-6 Rosario didn't join the practice, but simply watched on the bench as he tries to get acquainted with his new PBA team since being part of the three-team, multi-player trade days after the Gatorade PBA Rookie Draft.
The former National University big man said more than just the exposure, he's happy to learn new tricks from seasoned PBA big men like Asi Taulava and Sonny Thoss during their weeklong stint in the annual tournament in Taipei.
"Sobrang laki ang naitulong nila (Taulava and Co.) sa akin sa pagpasok ko sa PBA kasi yung nga kalaban ko very physical," he said.
"Dito kasi (sa international tournament), kailangan maging patient ka talaga. Hindi Ito tulad ng college na takbo lang, dahil dito iisipin mo muna ang galaw mo," added the youthful big man.
Rosario, selected second overall by Mahindra, only to be traded later on, explained that should he be given a chance to play in the FIBA Asia men's championships two weeks from now, he will leave everything on the floor, knowing that the country's Olympic hopes are at stake.
As of posting time, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is in the process of submitting the final lineup for the Changsha, China tournament set from September 23 to October 3.
The FIBA Asia cage joust serves as the Asian qualifier for the Olympich Games in Rio de Janeiro next year.
The deadline set by Fiba is on Tuesday.
Considered shoo-ins for the final 12 include guards Jayson Castro, Dondon Hontiveros, Gabe Norwood and Terrence Romeo.
Taulava, Thoss, Ranidel De Ocampo and Marc Pingris, along with Calvin Abueva are expected to join naturalized player Andray Blatche at the front court.
The last two slots will be disputed by the likes of Rosario, Aldrech Ramos, Gary David, Jimmy Alapag, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser and JC Intal.
Before flying back to Manila, Baldwin said he does not intend to make any "splashy" announcements as far as the final 12 is concerned.