Brian Heruela in his first practice with Phoenix Fuel Masters. PHOENIX PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — After bouncing around the league since being drafted in 2014, Brian Heruela hopes to finally find a home in Phoenix.
Heruela was traded to the Fuel Masters by the Blackwater Elite for Ron Dennison on Thursday in what would already be the fourth time he changed teams since 2018.
“I’ll give everything and do anything to help the team.”
Here’s a message from our newest Fuel Master.@BHeruela | #FightToThePhoenix pic.twitter.com/8UwlB7Resk
— Phoenix Fuel Masters (@fuelmasters) January 17, 2020
“I’m super thankful and looking forward to this new opportunity can’t wait to play for the Phoenix Fuel Masters,” Heruela said in a video posted by Phoenix on the team’s social media account Friday during his first practice with his new squad.
“Every game I’ll do everything and do anything to help the team. It’s gonna be an exciting season, it’s the all-Filipino cup and I just can’t wait to see you Phoenix fans and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Fuel Masters head coach Louie Alas thinks the stocky Heruela will be a big help, especially on the defensive end.
https://sports.inquirer.net/381629/blackwater-trades-brian-heruela-anew-gets-dennison-from-phoenix
“Our backcourt just got deeper and Brian is a lockdown defender against the opposing guard,” Alas told INQUIRER.net Saturday.
The 30-year-old Heruela, who won four championships as a reserve for San Miguel Beer, bolsters Phoenix’s guard rotation in veteran playmakers RJ Jazul, LA Revilla and RR Garcia.
The Fuel Masters look to turn things around when the new season tips off in March after coming off an 11th-place finish in the recently-concluded Governors’ Cup.