Brondial, Baclao get chances

The door of opportunity swung open for San Miguel Beer reserves Rodney Brondial and Noy Baclao following the injury of Vic Manuel in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association On Tour.

Beermen head coach Jorge Gallent said the absence of Manuel as well as six-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo gave him a chance to use Brondial in their first three matches.

Brondial, a hard-nosed rebounder from Adamson University, is having a monster performance for the Beermen with averages of 14 points and an impressive 15.7 rebounds per game while helping Terrence Romeo get a lot of good looks in the basket.

During the Beermen's 90-78 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Brondial finished with 12 points on a steady 5-of-8 shooting from the field on top of 16 rebounds.

"We don't have Vic Manuel and the big boy (June Mar Fajardo). Vic is going to be out for five weeks more because of a knee injury," Gallent said.

"Rodney is one of those players who's been working extra hard. Aside from religiously attending the practices, he's been doing individual workouts in the off season."

But Brondial isn't only the one who has been given career revival at San Miguel.

Even Baclao, who's trying to make his way back to the Beermen lineup, has been providing that added ceiling and defensive presence needed by the squad.

"He's a great addition to this preseason and we're happy to get him," Gallent added.

"Of course, his possible inclusion for the coming season will depend on how he plays in the preseason."

Baclao has been a frozen talent for the past few years after a series of injuries had slowed down his career.

He previously played for Meralco where he was either relegated to the reserve or injured list but is now making his way back to San Miguel Beer, a franchise where he played for one season more than a decade ago.