Heruela’s fate floats to new season

VETERAN point guard Brian Heruela is now playing the waiting game, as he remains unsigned by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters heading to the new season of the PBA Philippine Cup.

The 31-year-old Cebuano played a key role in Phoenix’s rise to prominence in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, where he started nine of the team’s 17 games and averaged 5.35 points, 2.88 rebounds and 2.12 assists while usually also being tasked with defending the opposing team’s best guards.

Surprisingly, Heruela has yet to be signed by Phoenix and is a restricted free agent until the end of the month. In a talk on Wednesday night, Feb. 17, 2021, Heruela said he is just waiting for team management to get in touch with him, although he has taken notice of the team’s latest acquisition of veteran guard Chris Banchero.

“I’m surprised by all this but then again, everything is a surprise. I mean nobody expected Calvin (Abueva) to get traded,” said the University of Cebu product.

The 5-foot-11 guard, though, said the addition of Banchero will help the team’s campaign and if given the chance to remain at Phoenix, he won’t have any problem making adjustments. After all, he’s had plenty of experience playing with ace guards. He played with Chris Ross and Alex Cabagnot during his three-year stint at San Miguel and then, with Jayson Castro, during his brief stay with TNT.

“Chris (Banchero) is a veteran who will definitely help the team,” said Heruela. “I don’t have any problem sharing the backcourt with anyone. I’ve proven that everywhere I’ve gone because at the end of the day, it’s all about winning and doing everything I can to help the team.”

Heruela said that in the meantime, he’s going to bide his time, stay in shape and wait for the phone to ring.

“I understand how this all works. It’s management’s call and these are things that are just out of my hands for now. I just gotta wait and see,” said Heruela. (JNP)