THE Troy Rosario sweepstakes have officially begun.
After a two-year stint with Blackwater, the 6-foot-7 big man was formally released by the Bossing after his contract expired yesterday, allowing him to sign up with any PBA team–or bring his act overseas, if he opts to.
Blackwater reportedly tried to link up with Rosario anew but under the new rules of the pro league’s free agency, all players drafted from 2015 can automatically declare for unrestricted free agency after his seventh season.
Rosario, 32, was chosen No. 2 overall by Mahindra (now Terrafirma) in the 2015 draft but was promptly shipped to TNT where he saw action for seven seasons until he was traded to the Bossing in 2022 that also involved Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Ginebra and San Miguel Beer are seen to have the inside track to land the former National University standout while the Tropang Giga, his former squad, are also interested in bringing him back.
A former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay, Rosario was good for 17.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists last season.
Blackwater fell just short of the quarterfinals of the season-opening Governors’ Cup despite the stellar showing of replacement import George King.
“We’re a team in transition. We’re a team that is still learning from each other and learning how to play in this league and in the PBA and at the same time understanding what it takes to win,” prized rookie guard Sedrick Barefield said.
“But things didn’t work for us (at) this conference (but) we’re going to use this as motivation to move forward and keep growing and better.”
Blackwater now has to move forward without Rosario.