PAIN from his still swollen foot won't stop Troy Rosario from doing his part in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's revenge campaign against nemesis TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals.
Despite only one practice session during the weeklong break between the semifinals and the championship series to undergo rehab for his sprained ankle, Rosario served playing duty and even started for Ginebra in its 89-95 Game 1 loss.
He saw action for 34 minutes and nine seconds, contributing eight points, two rebounds and one steal.
"Finals na, eh, kailangan nating tiisin. Siyempre minutes ko, importante din sa team, kumbaga kasama na ako sa rotation," he said.
"So 'pag nawala ako, malaking ano rin sa team so ako, kaya naman tiisin, lalaro pa rin. Medyo pigil lang yung galaw pero at least nasa loob."
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The 6-foot-7 Rosario, who joined Ginebra as a free agent prior to the start of the mid-season conference, hurt his right ankle in their finals-clinching 126-99 romp over NorthPort in Game 5 of the Final Four last March 7.
He spent the next six days on rehab and was listed as a "game-time decision" in Sunday's kickoff.
"Medyo lumobo yung ankle ko kanina," said Rosario, a former TNT star, after Game 1.
"Actually hindi pa ganon kaano (fully healed). Medyo naitawid lang dahil sa pain reliever. May pain pa rin pero kaya tiisin, kumbaga nababawasan lang." (OL)
