BRANDON Ganuelas-Rosser powered through the physicality of Game 4 with a double-double to close in on his first-ever finals appearance.
Ganuelas-Rosser had 22 points and 11 rebounds to lift TNT to a 108-92 victory over Rain or Shine for a 3-1 semifinals lead in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup. After missing the last two conferences due to an ACL injury, BGR will be gunning for a finals berth on Friday in Game 5 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
READ: TNT one win away from another PBA Finals after win over RoS
BGR was involved in a couple of physical plays in Game 4, including early in the second quarter where he drew a flagrant foul penalty one against Jhonard Clarito.
The Season 47 (2022) top pick paid tribute to his veteran teammates Poy Erram and Kelly Williams for helping him to keep his emotions in check.
“It just happened to me,” said Ganuelas-Rosser. “Credit to my teammates, credit to Poy, Kelly, my vets, always telling me to take a deep breath, calm down.”
The 31-year-old big man also said that the best way to combat the Elasto Painters' physicality is to crash the boards. The Tropang Giga won the rebounding battle, 58-50, in Game 4.
“Coach [Chot Reyes] said one way we can be physical back is rebounding. I think we outrebounded them. They still got a lot of offensive rebounds. Just trying to be physical with my boxout, things like that. Make them feel us too,” said Ganuelas-Rosser.
BGR bounces back
In doing so, the 6-foot-6 BGR made up for his woeful Game 3 where he only had two points and three rebounds, while committing three turnovers. He only played 13 minutes and 55 seconds due to foul trouble.
BGR said the film session prior to Game 4 helped him understand what went wrong in the prior contest.
“It was a collective effort. Yesterday and today, coach really challenged us. Before the game, he said... We just had to be tougher. Last game, particularly our unit, the bigs, felt like we kind of got embarrassed and our manhood was kind of challenged," he said.
“I took it personal, so today I just wanted to make sure I was available, play tough, be active, but be smart, make sure to protect my fouls, especially in the first half.
”I think X’s and O’s, you can talk about it, but the last two days, especially yesterday in film, coach showed us clips and we weren't being tough. We were getting pushed around, knocked off the ball, and I think when we’re solid and we’re strong, we give ourselves an opportunity to be effective in the game.”
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