Rosario embraces new role at Blackwater

BLACKWATER forward Troy Rosario is embracing his new role as the leader of the Bossing squad, which is gunning for no less than a playoff spot in the PBA season-opening Commissioner's Cup under new coach Jeff Cariaso.

Now heading to his eighth season as a pro, the 6-foot-7 Rosario admitted the leadership role is something new to him.

«I know it won't be easy for me considering all the high expectations from coach Jeff and the expectations I also have for myself,» Rosario told The Manila Times.

«But it's a challenge for me. I know this is a new role for me and there will be a lot of work to be done.»

Rosario dealt with various injury issues this past season since being traded by TNT to Blackwater.

But the former National University forward said he's undergone rehab and worked his tail off during the long offseason to ensure he'll start the brand new season on the right foot.

«I will just continue to work on my game, hoping again that hard work will pay off,» stressed the second round overall pick for the 2015 PBA Draft.

«Mentally, like what coach Jeff said in one of our meetings, he wants me to be one of the leaders of this team. I just need to embrace it and fast track my improvement and knowing that 'this is now my team.'»

Rosario showed he's slowly getting back into his old, deadly self after averaging 16.11 points, 6.67 rebounds and 1.78 assists in nine games during the PBA On Tour that saw Blackwater finish fourth.

The Bossing also placed second in the four-team pocket tournament won by Converge two weeks ago.

Puerto Rican import Chris Ortiz has been with the team for about a month already and has integrated well within Cariaso's system.