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Of Rings, Familiarity, and Chot: Why MGR returned to TNT


Matt Ganuelas has already won five PBA championships.

And he definitely wants to add more to his collection.

Thus, his excitement when TNT came calling to inquire about his services, for he knows that the team can be of so much help in accomplishing that goal.

So, it was an easy decision to make for him to sign with the Tropang Giga as a free agent, marking his return to the club where he began his pro journey.

2018-PBA-Philippine-Cup-Finals-Game-3-San-Miguel-def-Magnolia-Gabby-Espinas-x-Brian-Heruela-x-Matt-Ganuelas-Rosser Of Rings, Familiarity, and Chot: Why MGR returned to TNT Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“I have five championships. I want five more.

“And if I can get that here, that would be great,” the 31-year-old told One Sports’ The Game, Monday evening

The flagship MVP Group franchise has just ruled the 2021 Philippine Cup at the expense of Magnolia, ending the team’s six-year title drought.

That, and how TNT has become an even more formidable contender were among the factors that played in Ganuelas-Rosser’s decision.

2021-PBA-Philippine-Cup-Finals-TNT-vs-Magnolia-Tropang-Giga Of Rings, Familiarity, and Chot: Why MGR returned to TNT Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

Photo by PBA Images

“They just won a championship,” said the 6-foot-4 winger, who was part of the TNT team that won a title in 2015. “They’re contending, they’re really going up.

“So for me … once I got their call that they were interested, I was like, ‘Okay, let’s try to get this done.’ Because that’s a place I really see myself fitting in, and really wanna be,” he furthered.

But more than raising his prospect of winning rings, it was really the familiarity with his old home that also influenced his return.

Then, of course, the chance to once again play under Chot Reyes, who was his mentor during his first stint in Gilas Pilipinas back in 2012.

#ReadMore  RK Ilagan bids San Sebastian farewell, to enter 2021 PBA Draft

PBA-Season-42-Philippine-Cup-Semifinals-Game-Two-TNT-def-San-Miguel-Matt-Ganuelas-Rosser Of Rings, Familiarity, and Chot: Why MGR returned to TNT Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

“I was there from my rookie year on,” said Ganuelas-Rosser, who was drafted fourth overall by NLEX in 2014 before being traded to TNT shortly after. “And knowing that I’ll be reunited with a lot of the older guys that are there.

“And then, being able to play under Coach Chot. That was like a big factor for me,” the Cal Poly Pomona product added.

Now that he has returned to where it all started, Ganuelas-Rosser couldn’t wait to get back in action with the Tropang Giga.

“I’m really grateful,” he said.

“Just getting all the feedback on social media and stuff, I’m really excited to perform in front of those TNT fans again.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


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