‘We didn’t poach Rodney Brondial’, insists SMB team manager Gee Abanilla

San Miguel did not poach former Alaska big man Rodney Brondial from the Aces.

SMB team manager Gee Abanilla stressed that it was Brondial who reached out to the league’s winningest ballclub as he wanted to reunite with college mentor Leo Austria. The 6th overall pick of the 2014 draft was also on the lookout for a better deal.

“We didn’t poach Rodney. It was a similar situation which happened to Gab Banal where the player opted not to sign the contract extension offer and decided to become a free agent,” said Abanilla during an interview with PBA Rush.

The 31-year old former Adamson Falcon was offered a fresh two-year contract by the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise but he turned it down and automatically became an unrestricted free agent. He was the second Alaska player after Gab Banal to decline an extension deal.

“As early as August last year, he was requesting Alaska management for the contract renewal for security due to uncertainties of our current situation,” explained Abanilla.

“So when Rodney wasn’t receiving offers, he decided to call up Coach Leo Austria, his former coach at Adamson, and asked his help, inquiring on the possibilities of joining San Miguel,” he added.

Brondial’s arrival further deepens the Beermen’s frontcourt which currently consists of June Mar Fajardo, Moala Tautuaa, Vic Manuel plus reserves Fonso Gotladera and James Sena.