Rodney Brondial was among those singled out by San Miguel Corporation sports director Alfrancis Chua as he acknowledged the Beermen’s successful PBA Philippine Cup title defense on Sunday night.
That left the seasoned big man blushing, as he couldn’t feel more honored to receive credit from the very person he owes so much to.
“Nakakatuwa kasi na-mention niya ‘ko. Napakalaking bagay sa akin nun,” he told reporters shortly after their 92-77 win over TNT in Game 6 of the Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay to keep the Jun Bernardino trophy.
Brondial even turned sentimental when asked about that moment with Chua, expressing his gratitude to the esteemed executive for allowing him to continue his career after leaving Alaska in January 2022.
The sixth overall pick by Barangay Ginebra in the 2014 PBA Rookie Draft became an unrestricted free agent after he and the Aces could not agree to terms on a new deal. He would go on to join San Miguel days after.
His decision formed a reunion with his coach in Adamson University in Leo Austria — and eventually with other Soaring Falcons in Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano — and much of the news, of course, circled them.
But for Brondial, all that wouldn’t have happened had Chua not opened the door for him to return to the SMC camp. He had been with Magnolia for three years before a trade to Alaska as part of the deal centered on Chris Banchero.
“Napakalaki ng utang na loob ko kay Boss Al. Grabe. Ibang klase ‘yung utang na loob ko roon. Kasi nung umalis ako sa Alaska — alam naman natin ‘yun, ‘di ba — siya ‘yung nilapitan ko. Sabi ko baka pwede po akong ano,” he said.
“‘Di naman ako nagdalawang salita, pinagbigyan niya ‘ko,” he added. “Tsaka sa hindi nakakaalam, napakabait nung tao. Hindi lang siya ‘yung vocal sa ano pero alam ng mga player ‘yan, ‘yung mga kilala siya, napakabait.”
That’s why Brondial always tries to repay Chua’s trust, and he did just that in the recent title series against their long-time corporate rivals.
After starring in their Game 5 win with 17 points and 15 rebounds, the 6-foot-5 bruiser continued his fine play in the clincher. He delivered 15 and 13, which he laced with an assist and a steal as he made the most of another starting gig.
That he’s still nursing a sprained ankle, which he sustained back in Game 2 last week, makes those performances all the more impressive.
(C) PBA Images
“Grabe siya sumuporta. ‘Pag humirit ka sa kanya, ‘di ka paghihindian. Siguro binabalik ko lang ‘yung tiwala na binigay niya sa’kin,” he said.
So solid was Brondial that not a few were vouching for him to be named the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP, although he thought none of that.
“Ay, hindi na sumagi sa isip ko ‘yun. Kasi role player lang naman ako eh, ‘di ba? Tsaka isa pa, mahirap maging Finals MVP kasi dito may tradisyon kami, ‘pag nag-Finals MVP ka, ikaw magbabayad eh,” he said in jest.
“Lugi ako. Siguro kung papipiliin ako, hindi na rin kasi abunado pa ‘ko diyan eh, ‘di ba? Hindi na, OK na ‘ko. Sa kanila na ‘yung award. OK na ‘ko,” he added, smiling and drawing laughter from members of the press.
Turning serious, Brondial said that he’s only out there to do his job and that’s by doing what he can on defense and rebounding, as well as helping June Mar Fajardo, who eventually took home the Ramon Fernandez Trophy.
“Ginagawa ko lang [parte] ko. Laging ang mindset ko is matulungan si June Mar, matulungan ‘yung defense namin, ‘yung mga intangibles talaga,” he said.
“Bonus na lang sa akin ‘yung scoring. Nagugulat na nga lang ako, 15 points na pala ako. ‘Yung rebound talaga yung inaano ko, tsaka depensa.”
Brondial has now won his fifth league championship, but he’s particularly proud that he and the Beermen were able to repeat in the conference.
“Mas mabigat ‘yung pressure ngayon, kasi ang hirap kunin ng back-to-back championship eh,” said the 35-year-old forward, who copped his first PBA title with the Hotshots when they ruled the 2018 Governors’ Cup.
“Tapos ‘yung TNT, mas malakas sila ngayon kumpara nung nakaraan na nakalaban namin sila. Thankful lang talaga kami na nakuha namin.”
