WITH Troy Rosario set for his Blackwater debut, the Bossing eye a quick bounceback against fellow PBA Commissioner's Cup opening-day loser Phoenix Fuel.
The Bossing and the Fuel Masters clash at 6:45 p.m. at the MOA Arena, preceding the 4:30 p.m. tiff between opening-day victors Bay Area Dragons and NorthPort.
In a smashing PBA debut, the Dragons crushed the Bossing, 133-87, then the NorthPort Batang Pier, with tremendous boost from balik-import Prince Ibeh, outfought the Fuel Masters, 92-89.
Blackwater coach Ariel Vanguardia hopes they can do a lot better in their next game, ruing preparation thrown off by a last-minute trade entered into by the team.
"We'll play better the next game," said Vanguardia after the 46-point blowout they suffered with Rosario just riding the bench.
Sponsored content:
Rosario and Gab Banal were acquired by Blackwater in a three-team trade with TNT and NLEX that also involved top overall pick Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Calvin Oftana and future draft rights.
Rosario asked permission to sit out the game as he's smarting from an injury and tending to a personal matter.
Also missed by the Bossing was ace guard Jvee Casio who suffered an injury on the eve of the game.
Rosario lamented his movement from TNT but said he's ready to move on, stressing he's a professional.
"Na-disappoint ako sa sarili ko. Kasi parang 'yung pagkaka-trade sa'kin, ang dating sa'kin, parang na-fail ko 'yung sarili ko. Failure para sa'kin," said the seven-year veteran.
Sponsored content:
"Pero professional ako. Kailangan kong mag-adjust nang mabilis. Wala yun sa culture na laging nasa playoffs yung TNT, tapos yung Blackwater, wala," he added.
The Fuel Masters themselves ache for a bounceback, looking to recover from their fourth-quarter slide in their three-point loss to the Batang Pier.
Javee Mocon and his teammates led for the most part and were still ahead 65-61 going to the final canto. (SB)
