After a solid stint in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser is craving for more as he declared his willingness to return to the international arena.
Ganuelas-Rosser said he already informed Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes that he is ready to represent the country anew in the SEA Games or Asian Games — or even serve as practice player for the team that will compete in the FIBA Basketball World Cup.
The NLEX forward played a key role in Gilas Pilipinas’ return to the SEA Games throne as he provided the energy while defending the naturalized players of Cambodia in the gold medal match.
But returning to the international arena will be a challenge for Ganuelas-Rosser.
Unlike his older brother, Matt, Ganuelas-Rosser is classified as a naturalized player in International Basketball Federation competitions as he was not able to secure his passport before turning 16.
He, however, is determined to see action for Gilas Pilipinas or help it in whatever way it can as it prepares for the World Cup that the country will host in August.
“I told Coach Chot, whenever they need me, I’m available — whether playing in the SEA Games or Asian Games — or helping them out prepare for the World Cup as a practice player or an extra body, whatever they need,” Ganuelas-Rosser said.
The medal that Ganuelas-Rosser won in the recent SEA Games wasn’t his first.
In fact, he won a bronze medal in the Hanoi edition of the Games last year after helping Gilas in the men’s 3×3 basketball event.
This time around, it’s gold or nothing for Ganuelas-Rosser and he took pride in being part of the “Redeem Team” that reclaimed the SEA Games supremacy.
Ganuelas-Rosser said the SEA Games had pushed him to his limits.
“Physically, for sure, it pushed me to my limits. That was a grind being out there, but personally, I grew as a player playing in the SEA Games,” Ganuelas-Rosser said.
“Being able to play at a big level like the SEA Games, especially in the gold medal game, and contributing in any way, it gives me that great feeling. I told Coach Chot that whatever it is that they want me to do, whether switching out on defense, rebounding, or clogging the paint, I think having that mindset helped me to perform in big games.”
The younger Ganuelas-Rosser is now a gold medalist and he has something to show to his older brother, who won a SEA Games gold medal in 2013 and was part of the Gilas Jones Cup champion team.
“I’m sure he’ll be proud of me when he gets back home,” Ganuelas-Rosser added.
