Kris Rosales was a sparkplug for San Miguel in its pivotal Game 5 win over TNT in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
Kris Rosales knows he will not see a lot of minutes for San Miguel in the ongoing PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals.
But when Rosales does get the break, he makes it count.
That’s exactly the case in the Beermen’s 96-82 win over TNT in Game 5 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Friday, Jan. 30.
“I mean, that's been my job this entire conference or since I've been assigned to. When stuff isn't really going right, throw me and see if I could spark some energy or change the momentum,” Rosales said after the match at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“And I've been telling myself that: You know what, if that's my role on this team, then I'll accept it, and be ready no matter what.”
[RELATED STORY: Rodney Brondial steps up as San Miguel nears 2nd straight PBA PH Cup title]
When things went south at the onset for SMB as it quickly fell to a 7-23 deficit, the cat-quick guard was plucked from the bench, and he immediately made a difference.
Rosales — who wound up with 12 points, a rebound, four assists and a block — was instrumental in the Beermen's 58-32 barrage in the middle quarters that set up the victory.
[RELATED STORY: PBA Finals: TNT's Jordan Heading braces for ‘dogfight’ vs SMB in Game 6]
Though he’s not seeing as much action in the ongoing finale, averaging nearly 12 minutes while playing four of the last five games, the 35-year-old will continue to stay ready.
“You know, part of being a professional is just being ready when your number is called,” Rosales said.
“I haven't really been playing a lot in the playoffs, but I told myself that I'm going to continue to get my extra work in and lift my weights. And when the time comes, I'll just be ready.”
San Miguel will look to deliver the finishing blow when both teams meet again in Game 6 Sunday, Feb. 1, at the MOA Arena in Pasay.
Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.