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Ginebra's Troy Rosario in action. PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines – Ginebra big man Troy Rosario is happy as he gets the chance to wear a Gilas Pilipinas jersey again.
Rosario, 32, will be competing for a spot in the Final 12 for the February window of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, Gilas head coach Tim Cone earlier confirmed to ABS-CBN News.
READ: FIBA: Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario set for Gilas Pilipinas pool return
They will undergo a training camp in Doha, Qatar before the FIBA matches.
Rosario got the call-up as Gilas key players Kevin Quiambao and Kai Sotto suffered injuries in their respective stints in the Korean Basketball League and Japan B.League.
READ: 'Might be the darkest day of my career': Kai Sotto suffers torn ACL
"Happy na makakabalik ulit sa Gilas after three years yata. Well, hindi naging maganda 'yung last, noong SEA Games 2022, so bounce back siguro," Rosario said after Ginebra's game against TNT on Friday at PhilSports Arena.
"Well, hindi pa naman sure na Final 12, pero gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ko, basta nandun sa pool, may pag-asa na makapasok sa Final 12.
Expect the 6-foot-7 forward to give his all for that primed spot in the national squad.
"Tatrabahuhin ko 'yung laro ko para mag-fit sa sistema, malay natin, makasama sa Final 12," said the former National University Bulldog.
Rosario is quick to pounce on the opportunity as advised by Cone and team manager Alfrancis Chua themselves.
"Dahil dun sa mga injuries, siyempre kailangan nila ng [tulong], why not i-[push] ko 'yung sarili ko... In-ask ako kung pwede, Boss Al[francis Chua], Coach Tim Cone, mga boss na 'yung nagsabi, so why not?"
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