Troy Rosario felt that he let himself down when he was traded by TNT to Blackwater as part of the deal that also involved young stars Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and former NLEX forward Calvin Oftana.

While Rosario stressed that the trade didn’t come as a surprise for him especially with the growing rumors even before the Tropang Giga’s Finals series against the San Miguel Beermen, the 6-foot-7 forward admitted that he felt like he failed himself especially after a series of subpar performances last conference.

“Di na rin bago sa akin, ever since naman naramdaman ko na yung malagay sa trading bloc. Ayun, nangyari na pero before ng trade, may mga rumors na narinig ko na ako yung iti-trade. Di na bago sa akin nung lumabas yung trade,” said Rosario.

“Nung una di ako makapaniwala pero na-disappoint ako sa sarili ko kasi yung pagkakatrade sa akin. ang dating sa akin, parang failure yun sa akin,” he rued.

The trade ended Rosario’s seven-year tenure with TNT which acquired him after a draft day trade with Mahindra in the 2015 rookie draft. Rosario won his first title with the team in the Philippine Cup last season but his game had since spiraled down, forcing the Tropang Giga to pull the trigger on the trade.

Rosario was in attendance in Blackwater’s 133-87 drubbing at the hands of Bay Area, but head coach Ariel Vanguardia opted him to rest – a decision Rosario later on revealed as part of an arrangement between him and the Blackwater management.

“Nakiusap naman ako sa kanila na baka pwedeng ituloy ko hanggang 19 yung pahinga kasi yung katawan ko ramdam ko na rin yung pagod eh,” said Rosario who had to juggle playing in the grueling seven-game Finals and attending family matters for his wife and newborn child.

“Pinayagan naman ako sabi ko anytime naman na ready ako, maglalaro ako. Ayaw ko rin naman na mapunta sa team na di ako ready tapos paglalaruin ako parang ang pangit naman siguro nun," he added.

Rosario however clarified that he had already moved on from the trade as he hopes to bring the experience and veteran presence to the young Bossing squad.

“‘Yung experience ko sa TNT and sa Gilas and matagal tagal na rin ako naglalaro so kung ano yung mga natutunan ko sa team na pinanggalingan ko sana madala ko dito.”