By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT is keeping fit-again big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser while Barangay Ginebra has extended the contract of injured center Isaac Go in a relatively quiet PBA offseason so far.
Proving to be an important piece for the Tropang 5G especially with Poy Erram facing long layoff due to an ACL injury, Ganuelas-Rosser was given a two-year extension that was signed in the presence of TNT team manager Jojo Lastimosa as well as the big man’s agent Charlie Dy of Virtual Playground.
Ganuelas-Rosser missed the first two conferences of Season 49 as he recovers from his own knee injury but has shown to be a big part of Chot Reyes’ rotation since returning during the Philippine Cup.
Ganuelas-Rosser averaged 12.2 points and 3.0 blocks for TNT during the finals.
Go, on the other hand, was signed to a one-year extension despite spending most of the last season on the sickbay due to a knee injury. But such a deal suggests that Ginebra is confident to have the 6-foot-7 center back in the lineup by the league’s 50th season.
Acquired by Ginebra through a deal that sent Christian Standhardinger to Terrafirma last season, Go only played seven games for Ginebra before going down with an ACL injury.
Go’s signing should also be vital for Ginebra especially after the departure of Jamie Malonzo to the Japan B.League.
Aside from Rain or Shine’s acquisition of Stanley Pringle, there hasn’t been any major movements so far in the offseason although that may begin to change when amateur standouts start throwing in their names for the PBA draft
The Elasto Painters have actually already freed up space in their lineup when they unloaded Mark Borboran and Francis Escandor, who immediately found another team in Phoenix.
Escandor was signed to a two-year deal for the Fuel Masters, adding another young talent to a lineup that already had Ricci Rivero, Tyler Tio, Ken Tuffin and Kai Ballungay.
Blackwater, likewise, is looking to keep its team intact for the next season after signing Richard Escoto and Troy Malilin to fresh deals while adding veteran guard Paul Zamar from the free agency.
