You only have once chance to make a good first impression. So 24-year-old Brandon Rosser made sure he was memorable.
A minute and 23 seconds into his first-ever pro game Sunday evening, the 6-foot-7 Filipino-American soared through the air for a buzzer-beating, one-handed putback jam, to cap a scintillating first quarter for defending ASEAN Basketball League champions San Miguel Alab Pilipinas.
“I mean I was just doing my job,” recalled the former University of California-Riverside Highlander. “Just touch the glass because when [Renaldo] Balkman drives, everybody has their eyes on him. So I just wanted to go in to clean up the glass, and it just bounced perfectly off.
“I think that was the first tip dunk I’ve ever had in a game, and I think my first buzzer beater as well, so getting it both for the first time is pretty cool.”
Going into the season, Rosser was one of three prized recruits Jimmy Alapag had for Alab’s title defense. Together with Caelan Tiongson and Ethan Alvano, he was brought in as an added weapon for an already-potent Alab lineup.
For Alapag, he needed a guy like Rosser, who could do the dirty work for him. A player who can stretch the floor, rebound, and make the extra pass – just like two-time PBA Best Player of the Conference Jay Washington, a former teammate of his in Talk ‘N Text.
“You know, Brandon just gives us so much more versatility. He’s a guy who’s six-foot-seven but he can shoot it, he can put it on the floor,” shared Alapag.
“He reminds me a lot of a Jay Washington – somebody who gets to the rim; somebody who can knock down perimeter shots.”
Rosser ended up with six points with a plus-minus rating of plus-nine. Not bad for a rookie.
Having heard his new mentor talk about him with high regard, Rosser is excited for what comes next.
“I’ve heard that comparison before. My brother (Matt Ganuelas-Rosser) actually played with Jay Wash too, so I’ve seen his game. And you know coach Jimmy – he’s always looking out. You know, anything he says, I listen,” Rosser expressed.
“If he can say that, I’ll just keep on building on this game and I’ll be game.”
With his first game already in the books, Rosser looks to settle down and do what he does best: bring energy off the bench.
“It’s fun. Anytime you get a big one like that, it’s fun. I just want to contribute in every facet so defense, rebounding, whatever,” he said.
“It’s an unforgettable first game for sure.”
