By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Troy Rosario reminded everyone of what he is fully capable of after leading Barangay Ginebra to a wire-to-wire victory over the San Miguel Beermen, 93-81, in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup on January 5, 2025, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The stretch power forward played his best game since donning the classic Ginebra red and white threads, putting up a flawless double-double performance of 22 points and 10 rebounds.
After several games of adjustment into the triangle system by head coach Tim Cone, the former PBA All-Star and national team staple member finally broke out from the three-point line and drained four crucial triples.
In the fourth quarter when the Beermen threatened to make another comeback run, Rosario buried back-to-back treys that pushed their lead back to 13 points, 72-59.
Rosario’s six quick markers sucked the life out of the Beermen and halted their momentum, resulting in a convincing way to start their 2025 PBA campaign.
Aside from his shooting clinic, Rosario also showcased his versatility in switching multiple positions and made the most when he was tasked to guard SMB’s guards in a pick-and-pop switch.
His lateral quickness was too much, and his length advantage made the difference in San Miguel’s disappointing 8/26 shooting from downtown.
It was still a nip-and-tuck affair in the opening period as the score was deadlocked at 16-all, but the Gin Kings capped off the first half with an efficient two-way performance that built a 16-point advantage, 47-31.
San Miguel tried to feed their behemoth star June Mar Fajardo at the post when the third quarter started, but coach Cone deployed early double teams that prevented the Beermen from getting any clean looks in the shaded lane.
Backstopping Rosario in the win was their resident super import Justin Brownlee who stuffed the stat sheets with 19 markers, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Despite the low-scoring total that Brownlee produced, his defense was there when it mattered as he helped Japeth Aguilar and Rosario clog the paint to contain Fajardo.
Scottie Thompson delivered his usual near triple-double stat-line of eight points, 12 boards, and 11 dimes, while Stephen Holt added 15 markers.
