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I still remember the buzz surrounding the 2015 PBA season like it was yesterday. The air was thick with anticipation about which rookie would break through and claim that coveted Rookie of the Year honor. Having followed Philippine basketball for over a decade, I've always found rookie seasons particularly fascinating—they're these raw, unfiltered glimpses into a player's potential before the league fully figures them out. That year, the competition was especially fierce, but one name consistently rose to the top in conversations among analysts and fans alike: Troy Rosario.

When I first watched Rosario play for the National University Bulldogs, something about his game stood out immediately. At 6-foot-7, he moved with a fluidity you don't often see in players his size in the Philippine basketball landscape. His shooting range extended surprisingly beyond the arc, and he had this knack for being in the right place at the right time—a basketball IQ that seemed advanced for someone his age. The TNT KaTropa clearly saw something special too when they selected him second overall in the 2015 PBA Draft. What impressed me most during his rookie campaign wasn't just the statistical production—though averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three-point territory for a big man was remarkable—but how seamlessly he integrated into a veteran-laden TNT system.

I recall talking to a fellow analyst mid-season about Rosario's growing impact, and we both noted something interesting. While other rookies were struggling with consistency or fitting into their team's schemes, Rosario seemed to understand his role perfectly. He never forced the issue, played within the flow of the game, and yet still managed to make his presence felt in crucial moments. His performance in February 2016 against Barangay Ginebra stands out in my memory—18 points, 9 rebounds, and hitting 4 three-pointers against Greg Slaughter, showing no intimidation against the league's established giants.

What truly cemented Rosario's case for the award in my view was his team-first mentality, something that resonated deeply with me having played competitive basketball in college. I'll never forget his post-game interview after a crucial win against Rain or Shine where he said, "Being able to contribute is also a plus but I know there's still more I can give and it was really a team effort at the end." That statement stuck with me because it perfectly captured his approach—confident in his abilities yet humble enough to recognize basketball's collective nature. In today's era where individual stats often overshadow team success, hearing a rookie prioritize collective achievement was refreshing.

Looking back at the voting results, Rosario received 1,209 points from the media, players, and the PBA office, comfortably ahead of second-place finisher Scottie Thompson who gathered 878 points. The margin surprised some observers, but having watched nearly every TNT game that season, I believed Rosario's two-way impact and immediate fit with a championship-contending team gave him the edge. Thompson showed flashes of brilliance too—his rebounding from the guard position was phenomenal—but Rosario's consistency throughout the entire season, playing in all 41 of TNT's games while starting in 38 of them, made his case compelling.

The significance of Rosario's win extends beyond just individual recognition when you really think about it. His success represented something larger—the evolution of the Filipino big man. No longer were height players confined to the paint; Rosario demonstrated that modern basketball required bigs who could space the floor, switch on defense, and make quick decisions. I've noticed how his game has influenced younger players coming into the league since 2015—more big men now work on their perimeter skills, understanding that versatility is the key to longevity in today's PBA.

Seven years later, with the benefit of hindsight, I'd argue the voters got it absolutely right. While Thompson has since developed into an MVP-caliber player himself, Rosario's immediate impact during that 2015-16 season was undeniable and precisely what the Rookie of the Year award should recognize. His development trajectory since winning the award has been impressive too—becoming a key piece for TNT's championship runs and eventually earning national team honors. The 2015 rookie class might be remembered as one of the stronger groups in recent memory, with players like Thompson, Maverick Ahanmisi, and Norbert Torres all making their marks, but Rosario's name sits atop that class for good reason.

Reflecting on that season always makes me appreciate how special rookie years can be in a player's career. There's this unique window before scouting reports fully develop, before opponents learn your tendencies, when everything seems possible. Rosario maximized that window beautifully, blending individual excellence with team success in a way that's rare for first-year players. The 2015 PBA Rookie of the Year race wasn't just about who put up the best numbers—it was about which player could elevate their team while showing promise for future growth. On both counts, Troy Rosario proved more than worthy of the honor.