Rodney Brondial sat out the entire second period but was still productive for San Miguel in their PBA Philippine Cup faceoff with Terrafirma.
San Miguel forward Rodney Brondial sees any All-Filipino conference as an opportunity to strut his stuff.
That could not be any truer as he posted a double-double of 16 points highlighted by a career-high 22 rebounds in the Beermen’s 128-89 whipping of Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Sunday, May 18.
“Siyempre, pagkakataon nating maglaro. Kasi 'pag may import, nasa mundo na naman tayo ng mga halimaw. Kaya sinusulit ko,” said Brondial with a laugh after the match at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
[ALSO READ: Summer Vacay, Slay! Tiongson likes to showcase the beauty of this PH island to idol Curry]
Brondial set the tone for San Miguel early, scattering eight points and grabbing 12 rebounds 8:59 of action as the Beermen took a 28-21 lead after the opening period.
SMB turned it up a notch in the second period and was unstoppable since then.
Helping Brondial were Cjay Perez (17 points), Mo Tautuaa (17 markers and eight rebounds) and Juami Tiongson (12 points).
Fajardo also churned out a double-double on 12 points and the same number of boards he spiked with four assists and a block.
June Mar Fajardo flashes a smile during the San Miguel Beermen's match against the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Brondial said he wasn’t really looking to score. That’s why he gave his teammates a shoutout for finding him at the right place and time.
“Actually, I give credit sa mga teammates ko, especially kay (Chris) Ross. Lagi niya akong kinakausap talaga. Kay June Mar (Fajardo), kay Cjay, sa mga teammates ko. Sobrang unselfish nila,” the former Adamson Falcon said.
Beermen chief tactician Leo Austria could not help but be proud of his ward whom he also handled in AdU in the UAAP.
“I’m fortunate to have a player like him kasi hindi mo na kailangang i-motivate. Self-motivated siya,” Austria said.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Cliff Hodge, Magnolia assistant coach fined, suspended after bench-clearing incident]
Mark Nonoy saw another big game go for naught as the Dyip dropped a seventh straight game for a 1-7 slate. He wound up with 24 points, three rebounds, and a steal.
Stanley Pringle added 17 markers.
San Miguel vs. Terrafirma Scores:
SAN MIGUEL 128 – Perez 17, Tautuaa 17, Brondial 16, Tiongson 13, Fajardo 12, Trollano 12, Cruz 11, Teng 8, Calma 8, Rosales 7, Lassiter 4, Cahilig 3, Ross 0.
TERRAFIRMA 89 – Nonoy 24, Pringle 17, Sangalang 10, Zaldivar 9, Paraiso 7, Catapusan 7, Ramos 5, Melecio 5, Olivario 3, Ferrer 2, Hernandez 0, Hanapi 0.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 53-37, 95-64, 128-89.