Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario (left) and Japeth Aguilar (right). PBA Images.MANILA — Troy Rosario picked up the slack for the Japeth Aguilar-less Barangay Ginebra San Miguel as it stretched its winning streak to five on Sunday.
The National University product tallied 12 points, 13 rebounds, and a steal in the Gin Kings’ 119-107 win over the Titan Ultra Giant Risers to officially advance to the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
READ: Ginebra fends off Titan Ultra to punch quarterfinal ticket
Rosario’s production proved crucial as Aguilar remained hospitalized due to a lung injury he sustained following a collision with hulking import Robert Upshaw in Ginebra’s 115-108 victory over Blackwater Bossing last Friday.
Ginebra head coach Tim Cone then hailed Rosario, along with Isaac Go and Norbert Torres, as the trio filled the void in the middle left by the 6-foot-9 Aguilar.
“Troy, Isaac, and Norbert, they know that their roles become more important,” said Cone.
“Troy stepped up and played great. That’s what makes him special. He can hurt you in so many ways, inside, on the boards, defensively, and from the three-point line. That makes him very valuable for us,” added the veteran coach.
Meanwhile, Cone shared that Aguilar is nearing discharge, noting that the former Gilas Pilipinas forward is “out of danger,” despite having “some air in the pockets around his lungs.”
“It’s not that serious,” the Gilas mentor added. “I hope I’m telling you the right information.”
Cone is also urging the rest of the Gin Kings to maintain a next-man-up mentality, as they still expect Aguilar to remain sidelined when they face the Meralco Bolts on Friday and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Sunday.
“We don’t have a time frame in terms of when he will be back,” said Cone. “He is doubtful for this coming weekend. I wouldn’t rule him out, but he’s doubtful.”