Magnolia joins TNT in praying for Troy Rosario’s speedy recovery

TNT was forced to finish Game 3 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Magnolia on Sunday without one of its top players.

At the 3:02 mark of the 3rd quarter, Troy Rosario fell into the ground and later was sent to the hospital after suffering a dislocated finger on his right hand.

The 4-time PBA All-Star sustained the injury due to an accidental contact by counterpart Jackson Corpuz while he was trying to go for a lay-up to finish the break.

Rosario lay on the floor for sometime before his teammates carried him to the bench. There, he immediately put his pinky finger back in place.

In the case of Corpuz, officials slapped him with a disqualifying foul, leading to his ejection. He had already committed a technical foul earlier in the match.

The 6-foot-7 forward out of National University left the game with only 2 points and 3 rebounds in 12 minutes of action. He spent most of his time on the bench after incurring 3 personal fouls in the first half, including two in the opening frame.

The Tropang Giga managed to cut the deficit to 4 in the 4th period but still failed to take a commanding 3-0 lead after falling into the hands of the determined Hotshots, 106-98. They stay ahead in the best-of-seven series with a 2-1 advantage.

Despite the eagerness to capture the All-Filipino crown, Basketball will remain a brotherhood for Hotshots coach Chito Victolero.

“Our prayers also for Troy. We don’t want it to happen,” said the 45-year-old mentor. “Iisa lang ang trabaho namin dito and we don’t want any injuries on any other player. At the end of the day iisa lang naman yung aming trabaho.”

“We will include Troy in our prayers na maging maayos siya. Sabi ko nga, we’re warriros here on the court but paglabas, we’re still friends, magkakasama kami, and we don’t want it to happen.”