ANTIPOLO – Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser’s TNT debut on Wednesday night not only marked the beginning of his journey with the perennial PBA contenders.
It was also the first time ever that the sophomore big man played with his brother Matt, which he admittedly said felt weird at first after watching his ‘kuya,’ who’s four years older than him, from the bleachers for the longest time.
“It’s our first time ever,” said the 29-year-old. “I’m used to watching him from the stands. Now cheering him on, him cheering me on, it was really special.”
The Ganuelas-Rossers got united in one team when Brandon was acquired by the Tropang Giga from Blackwater in a three-team trade just last Monday.
He played his first game with his new ball club — already his third in five conferences — against Rain or Shine in the Season 48 Philippine Cup opener at the Ynares Center here, and the 2022 top overall pick impressed.
BGR finished with 15 points and 14 rebounds, helping TNT rally back from as much as 10 down toward the 108-107 victory for a winning start to the tilt.
“It was exhilarating,” said the 6-foot-6 bruiser, who also had three assists. “I’m just happy we got the win. I had a day of practice with the team so I just wanted to go out there and be high-energy and play hard. Just happy we won.”
But making it all the more sweeter was playing alongside Matt, most especially when they shared the court at some parts of the match.
“First game ever we shared the court together,” he said.
“It was kind of emotional actually, like, when we both got on the court together.”
It’s a family affair of sorts in Antipolo this one night, and Brandon is certain that their parents back home in the States proudly watched the game, too.
(C) PBA Images
“They were excited,” he said about telling the family the news of his trade. “I remember I messaged my dad, my mom, and my younger brother — we have a group chat — and I was like, ‘I have a Woj bomb for you guys!’
“They were like, ‘What?’ So I sent them the article and stuff. They were just really happy. I’m sure they watched and stayed up and everything like that.”
Now it’s about adapting to the established culture Matt and TNT have long embraced, as he’s keen on delivering the goods for his new team.
“The culture and the winning mindset, it’s already set there. I’m trying to acclimate myself to their ways,” said the former SEA Games gold medalist.
“I have some talents, I think being able to play inside and out is something that they haven’t had in a while,” he furthered.
“Just bringing my versatility, making the team even more versatile.”
That starts with finding his niche with TNT. He’s still in the process of learning their scheme of things, but Ganuelas-Rosser is optimistic he’d get there soon.
“It was tough. Literally, I was out there, like, they were calling plays and stuff, and I didn’t really know what my responsibilities were. But Jayson [Castro] helped me out, Calvin [Oftana], Kuya Roger [Pogoy], just everybody,” he said.
“They were just in my ears, letting me know just to play my game and just read off each other. They make it really easy. When you have really good players, it’s really easy to acclimate to them.”
