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PBA: Defensive-minded Dela Rosa makes his mark – on offense

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/01/14/011418-rome.jpg"/><figcaption>Magnolia&#x27;s Rome dela Rosa file photo. PBA Media Bureau</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Rome dela Rosa&#x27;s calling card has always been his defense.This was true when he played for San Beda College in the NCAA, and when he spent the first two seasons of his career with the Alaska Aces.Now with the Magnolia Hotshots, dela Rosa remains first and foremost a defender, which is why he took pride in being assigned to NLEX rookie Kiefer Ravena during their PBA Philippine Cup game on Sunday.&quot;Coach put me in there to play defense in the second half, kasi Kiefer was getting hot,&quot; said dela Rosa after the game.Ravena still got his points – in fact, he finished with a career-best 31 markers – but dela Rosa and the Hotshots had the last laugh in the game as they hacked out a 105-94 victory to improve to 3-1 in the All-Filipino conference.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/basketball/news/2018/01/14/lee-hotshots-stop-ravena-nlex-36071">READ: Lee, Hotshots stop Ravena and NLEX</a></li></ul>Dela Rosa, who was in the game for defense, made a big impact on the opposite end of the floor, as well.With NLEX breathing down their necks, 85-94, with still 7:50 to go, dela Rosa strung together five quick points – including a jump shot over Ravena – to help Magnolia restore a double-digit lead. He finished with 14 points in the game – a career-best effort for him as well.Still, at the end of the game his focus was on defense.&quot;It&#x27;s just all about effort,&quot; he said. &quot;They trusted me to do my job, and I&#x27;m glad everything went well. The points just come along.&quot;&quot;Defense first, and offense will come eventually,&quot; he added.He also downplayed his crucial jumper over Ravena that gave Magnolia a 99-85 lead and essentially ended any hopes of an NLEX comeback.&quot;They are just trying to set me up. My teammates trusted me to do that, and I&#x27;m just glad my shots were falling,&quot; said dela Rosa, who is averaging 7.5 points per game this conference.He is just hopeful that his solid offensive outing will be a sign of things to come for him – even as he keeps his priorities straight.&quot;Hopefully, I can continue and sustain it,&quot; said dela Rosa. &quot;I&#x27;m just going to go out there, and it&#x27;s all going to start with effort. For me, defense naman first.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Rome dela Rosa finished with 14 points in the game – a career-best effort for him.

Rome dela Rosa finished with 14 points in the game – a career-best effort for him.

PBA: Defensive-minded Dela Rosa makes his mark – on offense

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PBA: Defensive-minded Dela Rosa makes his mark – on offense

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 15, 2018 12:09 AM PHT

Read More:

PBA

Magnolia Hotshots

NLEX Road Warriors

Rome dela Rosa

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