Troy Rosario dished out a solid performance for Blackwater as the Bossing survived a late uprising by the Beermen for a 103-101 win in the PBA on Tour preseason at the Filoil EcoOil Centre on Sunday.
It was the Bossing’s first streak in the preseason tournament, one that Rosario would relish.
“Pakiramdam ko sore ako ngayon pero sabi ng coaches ‘kailangan ka namin ngayon.’ Pero ok lang napahaba ang panalo,” said Rosario, who finished with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
“Good thing nakuha namin ‘yung streak na gusto namin. Simula ng PBA on Tour talo-panalo, talo-panalo kami, ‘di pa kami nakakakuha ng dalawang sunod.”
But it was Jayvee Casio’s free throws that delivered Blackwater to victory, as he sank three freebies with 22 seconds to go. The shots were enough to push Blackwater to a slim 102-101 lead.
Jericho Cruz tried to steal the win for San Miguel, but he missed his floater and fouled Baser Amer in the ensuing play.
Still, it was Rosario’s leadership that kept Blackwater at pace with the shorthanded Beermen, who played without June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez, Terrence Romeo, and Marcio Lassiter.
San Miguel looked headed for a win after Allyn Bulanadi and Cruz instigated a searing 8-0 run.
But it all went downhill when Casio got fouled on a landing spot while firing a trey in the last 22 seconds.
Down the drain went Bulanadi’s 26-point effort for the Beermen, who also got 25 from Cruz.
