By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Rodney Brondial took advantage of the absence of star center June Mar Fajardo to steer San Miguel Beermen to an 87-75 victory over NorthPort Batang Pier in the 2023 PBA on Tour at the Caloocan Sports Complex on Saturday night, May 27.
Brondial tallied a monster double-double of 18 points and 21 rebounds to go with three assists as the Beermen bounced back from a 106-101 loss to Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters for a 1-1 win-loss slate.
“Kapag all-Filipino conference doon lang ako nagkakaroon ng chance na makapaglaro [ng matagal tagal] kasi, kapag may import na conference, bawas talaga ang minuto ko,” Brondial said.
“Basta ako ibinibigay ko lang ang best ko, kapag may pagkakataon. Gusto ko talaga maipakita kung ano maitutulong ko sa team,” he said.
“Personally, I want to be healthy, makatulong sa teammates ko. Basta more on sa team lang, walang pansarili,” he added.
Brondial dropped 11 of his output in the third quarter, joining forces with Ilonggo Jericho Cruz in restoring a double-digit spread after the Batang Pier sliced their initial 20-point lead to a manageable five.
Cruz spearheaded the offense with 22 points, while Terrence Romero followed up his 27-point performance with 14 and Moala Tautuaa banged in 11 for the Jorge Gallent-coached crew.
“Kumpiyansa lang kami tsaka ‘yung pride din namin as a team,” Brondial said.
“Basta we are playing within the system of coach Jorge [Gallent], sinusunod lang namin ‘yung pinapagawa sa amin ni coach,” he added.
The Beermen were all business in the opening quarter as they cruised to a 19-6 lead, but the Batang Pier turned things around in the second quarter as they cut the deficit to 34-39 at the half.
Brondial and Cruz then combined for 20 points in the third quarter as the Beermen restored a 68-55 advantage before they prevented the Batang Pier’s attempted uprising in the fourth quarter.
Ilonggo Paul Zamar rifled in 20 points while Mer Jesper Ayaay shot 18 and John Michael Calma posted double-double 14 points and 13 rebounds as the Batang Pier dropped to a 0-2 record.
SAN MIGUEL 87 — Cruz 22, Brondial 18, Romeo 14, Tautuaa 11, Herndon 7, Bulanadi 6, Faundo 5, Lee 2, Baclao 2, De Vera 0, Saldua 0.
NORTHPORT 75 — Zamar 20, Ayaay 18, Calma 14, Bauzon 5, Chan 5, Gabriel 4, Comboy 3, Taha 2, Yu 2, Santos 2, Caperal 0, Munzon 0, Balagasay 0, Salado 0, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 19-6, 39-34, 68-55, 87-75./ASC, WDJ