Rosario credits Bulldogs legend Danny I. for his big Game 2 performance
Having the rare chance to learn from one of the game’s best players could make a big difference for any young cager.
That’s precisely what graduating National U forward Jeth Troy Rosario experienced twhen two-time pro league MVP and former Bulldog star Danny Idefonso helped him out heading into the biggest game yet of his promising basketball career.
And the 6-foot-6 Cagayan Valley native immediately put those lessons to good use on Wednesday night when he powered National U to a must-win 62-47 victory over Far Eastern U in Game 2 at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum, paving the way for a sudden-death showdown in their UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball finals set next week.
Eager to redeem himself from a so-so performance in their 70-75 loss in the opener last Saturday when he was grounded by cramps on his left leg in the final 5:25 of play, Rosario set the tone for the Bulldogs’ sizzling start, pumping in all but four of his game-high 19 points in the first half.
"Gusto ko lang makatulong sa team,” said Rosario. “Ayaw ko maging last game ito. Sabi rin namin mga seniors, kung may pinaka-importante game samin, ito ‘yun.”
Aside from his scorching offensive performance that saw him knock down seven of his first 10 shots in the opening half, Rosario also asserted his dominance in the lane, accounting for 14 of the team’s 58 rebounds highlighted by nine offensive boards.
“Kahit mga 50-50 balls, kung pwede lang, kukunin ko lahat ‘yun,” he noted. “Nu’ng last game nawala ako nu’ng (latter part of the) second half. I think na-down 'yung team. Alam ko naman kasi may maitutulong naman ako sa defense o sa offense man. I think 'yung offensive rebounds, effort talaga.”
Rosario also admitted Ildefonso’s help could not have come at a more opportune time.
“After ng praktis namin last Monday, may mga points siyang itinuro sa’kin, lalo sa shot selection ko. Sabi niya huwag ako mag-focus sa outside shooting masyado kasi sa laki ko, mismatch talaga sa loob,” shared Rosario.
“Almost 10 minutes rin ‘yung teaching niya. May time na nag-one-on-one kami. May mga payo rin siya about sa ibang moves. Binabantayan niya ako pero pinabayaan niya lang rin ako gawin ‘yung mga tinuro niya.”
Although his hard work and determination earned him this season’s Most Improved Player award, Rosario refused to soak it all in, instead sharing the credit to his NU teammates.
“Nagtitiwala sila sa’kin, kaya binabalik ko lang ‘yung tiwala nila. Hindi ko rin naman makukuha ‘yun kung hindi sa tiwala nila sa’kin. Masaya ako kasi pinagtrabahuhan ko rin ‘yun,” he said.
