Even without Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jordan Heading, TNT still got the job done vs. Phoenix in its first assignment in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jordan Heading did not see action in TNT’s 93-78 win over Phoenix in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday, Oct. 10.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes said Ganuelas-Rosser is nursing an injury he sustained in the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship.
“Kung pipilitin talaga, kaya naman ni Brandon. But then, he had a slight strain doon sa Abu Dhabi,” said Reyes, whose team competed in the said pocket tournament days before Season 50 got going.
“So we felt that it was best for us to give him more days to recover.”
[RELATED STORY: Rey Nambatac, TNT clip Phoenix for roaring start to PBA PH Cup]
BGR, who also returned from a major injury to reinforce the injury-riddled Tropang 5G in the All-Filipino conference last season, is listed as day-to-day.
“Other than that, we expect Brandon to be back. Ang sitwasyon niya ay day-to-day," said Reyes.
"The MRI doesn’t show any major issues. Hopefully, maka-practice na siya ulit,” said Reyes.
Heading, meanwhile, has been down with a fever.
“Si Jordan Heading naman, may sakit. Ang ganda ng pinapraktis niya. Tapos two days ago, tinamaan siya ng high fever. So hindi siya makapraktis kahapon (Thursday),” said Reyes.
“Sinubukan niya [last night] pero hindi pa rin siya makahinga.”
Fortunately for Reyes, the Tropang 5G still got the job done, thanks in large part to returning Rey Nambatac, who fired 22 points.
[RELATED STORY: Rey Nambatac shines in return from injury: 'Ito ang pinaghahandaan ko']
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.