Break before Finals beneficial for injured Troy Rosario

MANILA, Philippines -- THE break before the start of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals could be a blessing after all for Barangay Ginebra.

Veteran forward Troy Rosario, a vital addition to the league's most popular squad prior to the start of the conference, hurt his ankle during the second half of Ginebra's series-clinching 126-99 dumping of NorthPort last Friday.

The 6-foot-6 Rosario left the game for good in the third canto, having contributed 11 points, two rebounds and two assists for Ginebra, which won its semis series against NorthPort, 4-1 to set up a Finals date with TNT.

Game 1 of the best-of-seven title series starts this Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"We don't know how severe that is but he couldn't come back into the game, so hopefully the five or six days that we have will give him a chance to get ready and get back in," said Cone.

Cone has always spoken highly of the many-time Gilas forward due to his ability to score outside, defend well against bigger players, while adding further rebounding presence for the Gin Kings.

In fact, in eight playoff matches thus far, Rosario averaged 11.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists where he has served consistently as one of Ginebra's main defensive anchors.

"Right now, we don't know if he's going to be able to play. So there's still a lot of things up in the air and we'll know more as the week moves on," said the 67-year-old Ginebra coach.

"We'll know more with how we're going to match up to each other."

Once healthy, Rosario will be one of key additions for Ginebra in its Finals rematch against TNT.