BRIAN Heruela is set for a TnT homecoming in the PBA 46th season.
The stocky Fil-Am guard linked up with the Tropang Giga on Friday after inking a one-year contract with the franchise as an unrestricted free agent.
TnT team manager Gabby Cui confirmed the signing of Heruela, who last played for the team during the 2019 Governors Cup when it finished runner up to San Miguel despite parading Best Import Terrence Jones.
"We would like to welcome back Brian Heruela to TnT Tropang Giga. Brian is a tough, hard nosed defender and veteran player," said Cui.
The 31-year-old Fil-Am guard was part of the trade package between Alaska and Phoenix in the Vic Manuel deal two weeks ago.
Heruela has been working out as part of the Aces' cluster group, but is yet to be signed to a contract as Alaska is still awaiting the outcome of the rookie draft this coming Sunday.
But the Tropang Giga was very much interested in offering him a contract, and thus beat the Aces to the draw after signing him to a one-year deal.
Acquiring Heruela was just the latest, last-minute move done by the telecommunication franchise two days before the draft.
On Thursday, the Tropang Giga were involved in a three-way trade with Blackwater and sister team NLEX, which saw them net the valuable no. 4 first round pick in the draft in exchange for Simon Enciso, David Semerad and a pair of first round (2023) and second round (2024) picks.
The Bossing acquired the Road Warriors' higher first round pick in the draft by trading away Don Trollano, sophomore big man Maurice Shaw, Roi Sumang, and a 2022 second round pick, before initiating a deal with TnT.
Heruela is the third player acquired by the Tropang Giga from the free agent list this off-season after Glenn Khobuntin, Dave Marcelo and the recently unretired Kelly Williams.
The 31-year-old Heruela had a solid stint with TnT during the 2018-19 season after being acquired as part of the Terrence Romeo trade, coming off the bench as a reliable back-up to star playmaker Jayson Castro.
But then active consultant Mark Dickel opted to send him to Blackwater in order to get the services of Mike Digregorio.
He just played one conference with the Bossing, the same team that selected him in the third round (26th overall) of the 2014 draft, before being acquired by Phoenix in a trade for Ron Dennison.
With the Fuel Masters, Heruela proved to be a valuable role player and averaged 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists during the Philippine Cup bubble when the franchise fell short of reaching the finals for the first time in history after losing to TnT in their do-or-die Game 5.
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