PBA: Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser stoked over TNT transfer

Brandon Ganuelas- Rosser has battled injuries since essaying a starring role with the national teamin the Southeast Asian Games last year. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TNT posted a video of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser greeting fans for the first time since a three-team trade allowed the Tropang Giga to shore up the team that has been among the consistent performers in the PBA Philippine Cup which starts on Wednesday.

“Looking forward to a lot of hard work and a lot of wins in the future,” Ganuelas-Rosser said in the post made by TNT’s social media page on the eve of its opening assignment against Rain or Shine at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

The 7:30 p.m. match will be the first step in the Tropang Giga’s quest to bounce back from a seesaw PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign, with former Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes returning to his familiar role on the sidelines of the MVP Group’s flagship franchise.

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Posted by TNT Tropang GIGA on Monday, February 26, 2024

Ganuelas-Rosser officially became a member of TNT when the PBA approved a three-team trade with his recent team NLEX and Blackwater, which took him first in the Rookie Draft two years earlier.

To complete the deal, TNT had to give up former Defensive Player of the Year Justin Chua and Jaydee Tungcab in order to get Ganuelas-Rosser, who was initially dealt by NLEX to Blackwater for Ato Ular, Yousef Taha and a future draft pick.

What TNT hopes to have is the way Ganuelas-Rosser brings his energy on both ends, particularly on the defensive end which makes him among the promising shot blockers in the league.

Bothered by injuries

Injuries, however, have been bothering Ganuelas-Rosser since his key role for Gilas in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games gold medal run and suited up for just five games with NLEX in the Commissioner’s Cup.

He averaged 8.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks the past conference, where TNT also dealt with injuries that resulted in a quarterfinal exit.

TNT was busy in preparation for the season-ending conference, picking up ex-Converge big Barkley Ebona and giving rookie Kim Aurin an extended deal.

Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy and Jayson Castro are tasked to lead the Tropang Giga’s attempt to remain in the title hunt for the All-Filipino tournament.

Outside of San Miguel Beer, winner of six of the past eight editions, TNT has always excelled in the Philippine Cup, and was in the Finals in previous three stagings, including a 2021 title in Bacolor, Pampanga.