QATAR – Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser is indeed a big part of TNT’s future.
The 2022 no.1 pick has been signed to a two-year extension by the Tropang 5G, the franchise announced through its social media channels Saturday.
He was accompanied by renowned sports agent Charlie Dy and wife Marlina in the signing, which was presided over by team manager Jojo Lastimosa.
The deal, signed Friday, will run until July 31, 2027.
It was a reward of sorts for ‘BGR’ after playing solidly during the recent PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, where he helped TNT go all the way to the Finals.
The Tropa ultimately bowed to San Miguel in six and were denied a Grand Slam, but the former PBA 3×3 standout showed much promise when healthy.
Ganuelas-Rosser returned during the eliminations after recovering from an ACL injury he suffered during the Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
In 17 games, the ex-Alab Pilipinas standout posted norms of 10.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.4 steals and 1.9 blocks in 24.1 minutes of action.
His extension is key for a TNT side that needs all the help it can get, especially upfront with Poy Erram for a year due to an ACL tear.
Meanwhile, Blackwater has also given brand new deals to two of its key cogs after signing Richard Escoto and Troy Mallillin to two-year contracts.
Agent Marvin Espiritu announced the development via social media.
Escoto has been one of the Bossing’s longest tenured players as he has been with the ball club since being selected at 14th overall in 2019.
Mallillin, on the other hand, finally saw his efforts get rewarded by rising as a solid winger for Coach Jeff Cariaso after riding the bench with San Miguel.
The Ateneo product was picked by the Beermen during the third round of the 2023 Draft, but never really had the chance to crack the rotation.
He did win a PBA title with SMB when they ruled the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup, but was eventually relegated by the team to the unrestricted free agent list.
That’s when Cariaso came knocking on his door, leading him to Blackwater and then signing a one-conference pact just last February.
Now, he’s with the team that took a chance on him in the next two years.
The Bossing’s recent signings came days after they picked up veteran PG Paul Zamar from free agency, marking a reunion between both parties.
Zamar, who was picked 35th overall by Ginebra in the 2012 Draft, wouldn’t play in the PBA until six years later with Blackwater after playing in Thailand.
