Basketball

Veteran power forward Troy Rosario recently became a free agent after parting ways with Blackwater Bossing following their PBA Season 49 Governor’s Cup campaign. The release marked the end of his two-year stint with the franchise, a surprising move for many considering Rosario’s consistent performances during his tenure.

Blackwater's management, led by owner Dioceldo Sy, confirmed that they offered Rosario a multi-year deal, but the player decided to test the waters of free agency. With no other choice, Blackwater gave him an unconditional release. Sy expressed no hard feelings toward the decision, even leaving the door open for Rosario to return if he chooses.

‘THIS ISN’T GOODBYE, JUST SEE YOU AROUND.’ 💪🏽

Troy Rosario expresses his gratitude to his teammates, coaches, and management as he concludes his journey with Blackwater.#PBASeason49 #PBAAngatAngLaban #OneSports

📸 Instagram | @troyrosario18 pic.twitter.com/X7ASffANYl

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) October 10, 2024

“We offered him a multi-year deal, but he opted to explore free agency. We respect his decision and we wish him the best, but he is always free to come back with the Bossing,” Sy said in an interview with The Manila Times.

However, it appears that Rosario won’t be available for long. Converge FiberXers have emerged as a serious contender to sign the 32-year-old. The team has already made moves to initiate talks with Rosario’s longtime agent, Danny Espiritu.

“Yes, we want Troy, and we are just waiting for his agent to set up a meeting. We already talked to Marvin and hope to start a negotiation this week,” said Converge team manager Jacob Lao, as quoted by Spin.ph. This news has raised eyebrows, particularly since Converge already has a strong frontcourt roster with players like Justin Baltazar, Pao Javillonar, Ben Philips, Jason Credo, and Ronan Santos.

Despite the apparent depth at the center position, Lao emphasized the importance of strengthening their lineup to be competitive against elite teams in the PBA. He pointed out the team’s need for size, especially in light of recent matchups where height played a crucial role in their playoff performance. One notable example was their game against San Miguel Beermen’s June Mar Fajardo, who dominated with 40 points and 24 rebounds.

“We need to invest in our frontline because you saw in our last game in the playoffs, June Mar Fajardo had 40 points and 24 rebounds. Height is still crucial if we want to compete with elite teams. Since Troy is a free agent, we see this as an opportunity to explore,” Lao explained.

If Rosario agrees to join Converge, Lao indicated that the team has big plans for him. The veteran power forward would play a significant role in the team's championship aspirations, a promise that aligns with Rosario's desire to win another title.

“We want to compete, and we want to challenge the top teams. The only way to do that is to get the best available talent, and Troy is one of the biggest names in the free-agent market right now. Troy doesn’t have to worry about playing time with us. He wants to win a championship soon, and we believe we can give that to him if he gives us the chance,” Lao added.

A Hot Commodity in Free Agency

Troy Rosario is currently one of the hottest commodities in the PBA free-agent market. His performance with Blackwater during the Governor’s Cup has undoubtedly raised his stock, where he averaged 13.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game under the system of head coach Jeff Cariaso. His versatility as a power forward makes him a valuable asset for any team.

It’s not just Converge FiberXers that have expressed interest in acquiring Rosario. Several PBA teams are vying for his services, including his former team TNT Tropang Giga, as well as Blackwater Bossing, who remain open to bringing him back.

In addition to local offers, Rosario has reportedly received offers from clubs in Korea and Japan. Although Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and San Miguel Beermen are interested in him, no official offers have been made by these teams.

A Storied Career of Troy Rosario

Troy Rosario has had a decorated PBA career. He was initially selected as the second overall pick in the 2015 PBA Draft by Mahindra Enforcer. However, he was traded to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in a deal involving the NLEX Road Warriors. Over the years, he has built a reputation as a dependable power forward, contributing to team success and individual accolades.

His crowning achievement came in 2021 when he helped lead TNT to the PBA Philippine Cup championship. Rosario has also been named a four-time PBA All-Star and has garnered other notable honors throughout his career.

In September 2022, he was traded to Blackwater Bossing in a three-team deal that also included TNT and NLEX. Since then, Rosario has played a key role for Blackwater, where his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed by other teams.

Bet on Troy Rosario’s Future with OKBet

As the bidding war for Troy Rosario heats up, PBA fans and sports bettors alike are eagerly awaiting his next move. Whether he ends up at Converge FiberXers or with another team, Rosario’s decision could significantly impact the dynamics of the upcoming PBA season. His talent, experience, and leadership will undoubtedly make a difference to whichever team secures his services.

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