BRANDON Ganuelas-Rosser doesn't mind how physical the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals has become between TNT and Rain or Shine.
It's the playoffs and that's the way games are supposed to be played.
The former no. 1 overall pick didn't back down in Game 4 and produced a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds in the Tropang 5G's 108-92 win that put them on the cusp of reaching the finals for the third straight time this season.
Holding a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, TNT could put Rain or Shine away with another win in Game 5 on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
And Ganuelas-Rosser is expected to play with the same fire he had Wednesday night when he anchored the middle for a Tropang 5G side that saw big men Kelly Williams and Calvin Oftana sidelined by sprained ankles one after the other.
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The 31-year-old Fil-Am was 9-of-14 from the field, including 2-of-4 from three-point range as he made up for an embarrassing 107-86 loss to the Elasto Painters who outplayed and outmuscled the Tropang 5G in Game 3.
"It was a collective effort," said Ganuelas-Rosser of the 16-point win. "Coach (Chot Reyes) 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."
His ego bruised, the top overall pick of the 2022 draft took it upon himself to battle the Elasto Painters with the same level of physicality.
"I took it personal," said the former Gilas player. "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 when we're solid and we're strong, we give ourselves an opportunity to be effective in the game." (RG)
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