‘Took it personal’: Ganuelas-Rosser fueled by blowout in Game 4 redemption

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser plays his best game of the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, helping TNT move on the cusp of the finals as he dominates Rain or Shine in the paint

MANILA, Philippines – A blowout loss to Rain or Shine left a bitter taste in the mouth of Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser that he made sure not to let it happen again. 

Ganuelas-Rosser played his best game of the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs, helping TNT move on the cusp of the finals following a 108-92 win over the Elasto Painters in Game 4 on Wednesday, July 2.

The big man chalked up a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds, a significant improvement from his measly 2-point, 3-rebound performance in Game 3 where the Tropang 5G absorbed a 107-86 beating. 

“Coach really challenged us before the game, he said ‘toughness.’ That was all it was, we just had to be tougher,” said Ganuelas-Rosser. “The last game, particularly our unit, the bigs, felt like we kind of got embarrassed and our manhood was kind of challenged.”

“I took it personal.” 

In a highly physical series that has seen players from both sides earn flagrant fouls for rough play, Ganuelas-Rosser knows he also has to be mentally resilient.

After all, the former No. 1 pick learned his lesson the hard way when he got ejected in their elimination-round clash with Barangay Ginebra for his flagrant foul on Troy Rosario, his exit proving costly as TNT lost the game.

He then got suspended the next game against Magnolia, which the Tropang 5G also dropped to wrap up the elimination round.

Those two defeats prevented TNT from clinching a twice-to-beat advantage as it finished as the sixth seed with a 6-5 record. 

But Ganuelas-Rosser made up for that blunder, averaging 10.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in the next four games as the Tropang 5G overcame a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Hotshots in the quarterfinals then grabbed a 2-0 lead over the Elasto Painters. 

For Ganuelas-Rosser, his availability is his best ability. 

“You just have to expect it. I’m just trying not to let it affect my mental out there,” Ganuelas-Rosser said of the physicality. “When I’m available to the team, I feel like I can help in many ways, I just have to be out there on the court.”

“They’re going to do what they need to do to try to get in my head, but I just try my best not to let them. Just play the game.”

Seeking a rare Grand Slam, TNT needs Ganuelas-Rosser now more than ever, especially as the Tropang 5G deal with a string of injuries, with veteran big man Kelly Williams going down with an ankle sprain in Game 4.

Ganuelas-Rosser and the Tropang 5G hope to get the job done in Game 5 on Friday, July 4, at the Araneta Coliseum. – Rappler.com