Ginebra out to flaunt new weapon in Troy Rosario vs NLEX


At a glance

  • The Kings make their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when it takes on the streaking NLEX Road Warriors at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 11.


Barangay Ginebra has won the war for Troy Rosario’s services and it's now out to flaunt its new weapon on top of its already loaded arsenal.

The Kings make their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup when it takes on the streaking NLEX Road Warriors at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 11.

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All eyes will surely be on the highly-anticipated debut of Rosario, who Cone admitted he had long sought after, in the 7:30 p.m. encounter.

League perennial powerhouses who have been struggling as of late, meanwhile are set to star in the first offering with Magnolia (1-2) taking on TNT (0-2) at 5:30 p.m. 

“He's one of those guys I've watched from a distance and said to myself that I'd love to have him on our team. Now the reality is true," Cone said of his prized offseason acquisition who is expected to provide the help Japeth Aguilar needed in manning the frontline.

The Kings have been playing on a depleted big man rotation after trading away Christian Standhardinger, and his supposed replacement Isaac Go going down with an injury.

With Rosario, the Kings have a potent post-up threat who can trigger the triangle and start the offense for the potent crew that featured Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee.

With Stephen Holt and RJ Abarrientos now having a full conference with Ginebra under their belts, a Finals appearance at that, bigger things could only be expected for the Kings.

Out to crush those dreams though are the Road Warriors who pulled off a massive 19-point comeback win to frustrate the also retooled San Miguel, 104-99.

Robert Bolick was the catalyst to the comeback, dropping 20 of his 39 points in the final frame as the Road Warriors denied the Beermen a 2-0 start despite adding Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig in the offseason.

That’s exactly what Bolick and NLEX also aim to do against Ginebra with the returning Kevin Alas finally getting bigger minutes since his return and import Mike Watkins expected to man the paint anew.