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Brian Heruela

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Brian Heruela
No. 13 – TNT Tropang Giga
PositionPoint guard
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1989-04-13) April 13, 1989 (age 35)
Cebu City, Philippines
NationalityFilipino / American
Listed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High schoolUV (Cebu City)
CollegeUC
PBA draft2014: 3rd round, 26th overall pick
Selected by the Blackwater Elite
Playing career2014–present
Career history
2014–2015Blackwater Elite
2015–2018San Miguel Beermen
2019TNT KaTropa
2019Blackwater Elite
2020Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
2021–presentTNT Tropang Giga
Career highlights and awards

Quinton Brian Heruela (born April 13, 1989) is a Filipino-American basketball player for the TNT Tropang Giga of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was the 26th pick in the 2014 PBA draft by Blackwater.[1]

College and amateur career

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Heruela played for the University of Cebu Webmasters in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).[2] He won back to back championships in 2010 and 2011. He played in the 2011 Universiade.[3]

Before entering the PBA, he played in the PBA D-League.[4] In 2014, he even became one of the candidates for the Aspirants' Cup MVP award by posting near triple-double numbers.

Professional career

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Blackwater Elite (2014–2015)

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Heruela was drafted by the Blackwater Elite in 2014 PBA draft. He started his rookie season on Blackwater's reserve list.[5] After getting cut from the team, he returned to the D-League.[6] Blackwater gave him a call after that, and he returned to the team.[7] In his first game, he had five points, seven rebounds, five assists, two blocks, a steal and seven turnovers in over 30 minutes of action. He scored 19 points in a loss to Barako Bull Energy.[8]

In the 2015 Commissioner's Cup, Heruela led the team's locals in scoring and assists, which made him one of the biggest "steals" in the 2014 draft.[9] He also had a career-high 27 points in a win against the KIA Carnival that conference. He also participated in the Obstacle Challenge during the 2015 All-Star Weekend.[10]

San Miguel Beermen (2015–2018)

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On July 2, 2015, Brian Heruela was traded by the Blackwater Elite to the Barako Bull Energy in exchange for Carlo Lastimosa.[11] However, on August 25, 2015, Heruela was traded by the Barako Bull Energy to the San Miguel Beermen for Jeric Fortuna, reuniting him with his former college teammate at University of Cebu, June Mar Fajardo.[12] He became the backup point guard in SMB's rotation.[13] He still found ways to contribute, such as when he got a rare start in a win over the GlobalPort Batang Pier in the 2016–17 Philippine Cup.[14] In the 2017 Commissioner's Cup Finals, he was instrumental in limiting TNT's Jayson Castro.[15] He won 2 championships that season.[16][17]

In a 2017–18 Philippine Cup win over Globalport, Heruela had a career-high six steals and 17 points as he stepped up with guard Alex Cabagnot out with a foot injury.[18] He, along with the SMB bench, also stepped up in the Finals, as SMB eventually won its 4th straight All-Filipino Cup.[19][20]

TNT KaTropa (2018–2019)

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On December 19, 2018, Heruela, along with David Semerad and a 2020 1st round pick, was traded to the TNT Katropa in exchange for Terrence Romeo.[21] He debuted with 14 points and two steals in a loss to the Beermen.[22] In the 2019 Commissioner's Cup playoffs, he defended Ginebra's star scorer Stanley Pringle while contributing with his three-point shooting on offense to help TNT advance to the Finals.[23] In Game 1 of the Finals, which was against his former team SMB, he had a highlight block on San Miguel import Chris McCullough, and helped TNT win that game.[24] In Game 2 however, he missed two crucial free throws that allowed the Beermen to send the game to overtime where they won.[25] TNT eventually lost the Finals in six games.[26] He revealed that he injured his right shoulder during the Finals, which caused him to miss some games the following conference.[27]

Return to Blackwater Elite (2019)

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On October 19, 2019, he was traded back to the Blackwater Elite in exchange for Michael DiGregorio.[28] He debuted with three assists in a loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.[29]

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2020)

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On January 16, 2020, the Elite traded Heruela to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in exchange for Ron Dennison.[30] He then signed a one-year deal with them.[31] He had 15 points and seven rebounds to go along with his 4 out of 6 output from threes in a win over his former team Blackwater.[32]

Return to TNT (2021–present)

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On February 23, 2021, Heruela, along with three future draft picks, was traded to the Alaska Aces for Vic Manuel and two draft picks.[33] However, he didn't sign with Alaska and signed with TNT instead, making a return to the franchise he last played for in 2019.[34] In Game 3 of the 2021 Philippine Cup Finals against the Magnolia Hotshots, he was called for fouling Paul Lee on a three-point attempt, despite not being near Lee's shooting hand or landing spot.[35] Magnolia eventually won that game. The referee who called the foul on him was not allowed to officiate again the rest of the Finals. TNT still won the Philippine Cup, their sixth All-Filipino title.[36]

The following season, TNT reached the All-Filipino Finals once again, but TNT failed to defend its title, losing it to the Beermen.[37] Heruela then missed the Governors' Cup due to a foot injury with "cartilage defects".[38]

PBA career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

As of the end of 2023–24 season[39]

Season-by-season averages

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Year Team GP MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2014–15 Blackwater 26 33.2 .431 .203 .617 4.9 5.2 1.5 .3 10.6
2015–16 San Miguel 37 7.4 .337 .300 .625 1.1 1.0 .4 .0 2.0
2016–17 San Miguel 40 8.5 .361 .257 .684 1.4 .9 .4 .1 2.1
2017–18 San Miguel 47 9.8 .380 .319 .759 1.7 1.4 .6 .2 3.2
2019 TNT 44 20.3 .347 .286 .558 2.7 2.3 1.1 .2 4.6
Blackwater
2020 Phoenix Super LPG 17 19.9 .398 .341 .524 2.9 2.1 .8 .2 5.4
2021 TNT 36 13.8 .367 .313 .250 1.8 1.1 .7 .1 2.8
2022–23 TNT 13 15.4 .316 .222 .750 3.0 1.7 .9 .1 2.4
2023–24 TNT 23 11.8 .375 .355 .571 1.2 1.5 .3 .1 2.5
Career 283 14.6 .378 .289 .610 2.1 1.8 .7 .1 3.8

Personal life

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Heruela is known in the PBA for his hairstyles. While he was still with SMB, he wore cornrows, with his teammates also joining in on the trend.[40] During the 2019 Commissioner's Cup Finals, he drew comparisons to Toronto guard Fred VanVleet, not just for their similar play and impacts on their teams, but also because of their similar beards.[24]

References

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  1. ^ "2014 PBA Draft Results". InterAksyon.com. August 24, 2014. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  2. ^ "Pao-Heruela mibaswat sa UC". Philstar.com. September 12, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "UC to send solid Webmasters crew in 26th Universiade". Philstar.com. June 21, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  4. ^ Terrado, Reuben (March 4, 2014). "Fajardo's former teammate Brian Heruela hopes to join him in PBA soon". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "Wondering where Cebuano rookie Brian Heruela ended up in PBA? Here's where". Spin.ph. October 21, 2014. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  6. ^ Panerio, Jonas (October 24, 2014). "Rookie Brian Heruela vows to prove self all over again after unkind cut by Blackwater". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Panerio, Jonas (November 20, 2014). "Patience finally pays off as Brian Heruela fulfills long-cherished dream to play in PBA". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  8. ^ Cadayona, Russell (November 27, 2014). "Barako kinontrol ang Blackwater". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  9. ^ Bracher, Jane (March 2, 2015). "Rookie playmaker Heruela proving his worth with Blackwater". Rappler. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  10. ^ Villar, Joey; Beltran, Nelson (February 17, 2015). "Taulava to make 14th PBA All-Star appearance; Caguioa leads North". Philstar.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  11. ^ Panerio, Jonas (July 2, 2015). "Brian Heruela blindsided by Blackwater decision to trade him to Barako for Lastimosa". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  12. ^ Badua, Snow (August 25, 2015). "San Miguel acquires Fajardo pal Brian Heruela by sending Jeric Fortuna to Barako Bull". Spin.ph. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  13. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (November 7, 2016). "Leo Austria insists new boy RR Garcia not a surplus to requirements in SMB backcourt". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  14. ^ Panerio, Jonas (January 22, 2017). "Brian Heruela draws inspiration from Cebu crowd, makes most of rare start for star-studded SMB". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  15. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (June 23, 2017). "Brian Heruela makes every second count in rare appearance for Beermen". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "IN PHOTOS: San Miguel fulfills 3-peat goal in 2017 Philippine Cup". RAPPLER. March 5, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  17. ^ Bacnis, Justine (July 2, 2017). "San Miguel ends 17-year Commissioner's Cup drought". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  18. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (January 24, 2018). "Fajardo proud to relive college connection with pal Heruela". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  19. ^ "Heruela, Espinas seize chance as much-maligned SMB bench make presence felt". Spin.ph. April 1, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  20. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (April 6, 2018). "San Miguel bags 4th straight PH Cup title in double O.T." RAPPLER. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  21. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (January 13, 2019). "SMB trades for Terrence Romeo, Tubid, Zamar get PBA approval". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Leongson, Randolph B. (January 13, 2019). "Solid Heruela debut the silver lining in TNT loss to Ginebra on opening day". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 2, 2019). "Brian Heruela faces possibility of battling former team SMB in finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  24. ^ a b Leongson, Randolph B. (August 5, 2019). "Brian Heruela draws Fred VanVleet comparisons as TNT spark off the bench". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  25. ^ Terrado, Reuben (August 8, 2019). "Dickel faith in Rosario, Heruela unshaken despite costly free-throw misses". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  26. ^ Matel, Philip (August 16, 2019). "San Miguel finishes off TNT, claims Commissioner's Cup title". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  27. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 9, 2019). "Brian Heruela admits playing with a shoulder tear during TNT-San Miguel finals". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  28. ^ "Need for veteran back-up PG prompted Blackwater to trade Digregorio". PBA.ph. October 23, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
  29. ^ Terrado, Reuben (October 23, 2019). "No hard feelings after another trade as Heruela returns to Blackwater". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  30. ^ "Blackwater trades Brian Heruela again, this time to Phoenix for Ron Dennison".
  31. ^ Ramos, Gerry (January 25, 2020). "Brian Heruela, Jansen Rios officially on board at Phoenix after signing new contracts". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  32. ^ Terrado, Reuben (November 9, 2020). "Phoenix rises from 16 point-hole, frustrates Blackwater for share of top spot". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Alaska sends Vic Manuel to Phoenix for Brian Heruela". www.pba.ph. February 23, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  34. ^ Ramos, Gerry (March 12, 2021). "Brian Heruela makes TnT homecoming after inking a one-year free-agent deal". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  35. ^ "Referee who called Heruela foul on Lee taken off PBA Finals roster". Spin.ph. October 25, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  36. ^ "TnT back as PBA champion". BusinessWorld Online. October 29, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
  37. ^ Dioquino, Delfin (September 4, 2022). "San Miguel blasts TNT in Game 7 to reclaim All-Filipino title". RAPPLER. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  38. ^ Bolima, Martin Dale (January 26, 2023). "Injury bug continues to hound TNT as Erram, Reyes, Heruela all still out". onesports.ph. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  39. ^ "Brian Quinton Heruela Player Profile, TNT Tropang Giga - RealGM". basketball.realgm.com.
  40. ^ Sacamos, Karlo (April 16, 2017). "Cornrows becoming SMB trend as Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot join Brian Heruela in sporting same look". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
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