Brian Heruela

{{Infobox basketball biography

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| name = Brian Heruela

| position = Point guard

| team = TNT Tropang 5G

| league = PBA

| number = 13

| nationality = Filipino / American

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|4|13}}

| birth_place = Cebu City, Philippines

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 10

| weight_lbs = 195

| high_school = UV (Cebu City)

| college = UC

| draft_year_pba = 2014

| draft_round_pba = 3

| draft_pick_pba = 26

| draft_team_pba = Blackwater Elite

| career_start = 2014

| years1 = 2014–2015

| team1 = Blackwater Elite

| years2 = 2015–2018

| team2 = San Miguel Beermen

| years3 = 2019

| team3 = TNT KaTropa

| years4 = 2019

| team4 = Blackwater Elite

| years5 = 2020

| team5 = Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters

| years6 = 2021–present

| team6 = TNT Tropang Giga/5G

| highlights =

7× PBA champion (2015–16 Philippine, 2016–17 Philippine, 2017 Commissioner's, 2017–18 Philippine, 2021 Philippine, 2024 Governors', 2024–25 Commissioner's)
2× CESAFI Champion (2010–2011)
2× CESAFI Mythical Team Member (2010–2011)

}}

Quinton Brian Heruela (born April 13, 1989) is a Filipino-American basketball player for the TNT Tropang 5G of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was the 26th pick in the 2014 PBA draft by Blackwater.{{cite news |title=2014 PBA Draft Results |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/2014-pba-draft-live-result |work=InterAksyon.com |date=August 24, 2014 |accessdate=November 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140909164140/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/2014-pba-draft-live-result |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

College and amateur career

Heruela played for the University of Cebu Webmasters in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=September 12, 2011 |title=Pao-Heruela mibaswat sa UC |url=https://www.philstar.com/palaro/2011/09/12/726060/pao-heruela-mibaswat-sa-uc |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Philstar.com}} He won back to back championships in 2010 and 2011. He played in the 2011 Universiade.{{Cite web |last= |date=June 21, 2011 |title=UC to send solid Webmasters crew in 26th Universiade |url=https://www.philstar.com/cebu-sports/2011/06/21/698020/uc-send-solid-webmasters-crew-26th-universiade |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Philstar.com}}

Before entering the PBA, he played in the PBA D-League.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=March 4, 2014 |title=Fajardo's former teammate Brian Heruela hopes to join him in PBA soon |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/fajardos-former-teammate-brian-heruela-hopes-to-join-him-in-the-pba-soon |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} In 2014, he even became one of the candidates for the Aspirants' Cup MVP award by posting near triple-double numbers.

Professional career

=Blackwater Elite (2014–2015)=

Heruela was drafted by the Blackwater Elite in 2014 PBA draft. He started his rookie season on Blackwater's reserve list.{{Cite web |date=October 21, 2014 |title=Wondering where Cebuano rookie Brian Heruela ended up in PBA? Here's where |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-blackwater-reserve-pba-rookie-draft-la-revilla-kia-pba-openin |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} After getting cut from the team, he returned to the D-League.{{Cite web |last=Panerio |first=Jonas |date=October 24, 2014 |title=Rookie Brian Heruela vows to prove self all over again after unkind cut by Blackwater |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/d-league/ginebra-kia-out-of-town-basketball-pba-40th-season-philippine-cup |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Blackwater gave him a call after that, and he returned to the team.{{Cite web |last=Panerio |first=Jonas |date=November 20, 2014 |title=Patience finally pays off as Brian Heruela fulfills long-cherished dream to play in PBA |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-pba-debut-blackwater-purefoods-cebu-cesafi-university |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Cadayona |first=Russell |date=November 27, 2014 |title=Barako kinontrol ang Blackwater |url=https://www.philstar.com/pang-masa/pm-sports/2014/11/27/1396305/barako-kinontrol-ang-blackwater |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Philstar.com}}

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.{{cite news |last=Bracher |first=Jane |title=Rookie playmaker Heruela proving his worth with Blackwater |url=http://www.rappler.com/sports/by-sport/basketball/pba/85510-rookie-heruela-proving-worth-blackwater |work=Rappler |date=March 2, 2015 |accessdate=November 30, 2015 }} 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.{{Cite web |last=Villar |first=Joey |last2=Beltran |first2=Nelson |date=February 17, 2015 |title=Taulava to make 14th PBA All-Star appearance; Caguioa leads North |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/02/17/1424827/taulava-make-14th-pba-all-star-appearance-caguioa-leads-north |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Philstar.com}}

=San Miguel Beermen (2015–2018)=

On July 2, 2015, Brian Heruela was traded by the Blackwater Elite to the Barako Bull Energy in exchange for Carlo Lastimosa.{{Cite web |last=Panerio |first=Jonas |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Brian Heruela blindsided by Blackwater decision to trade him to Barako for Lastimosa |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/carlo-lastimosa-brian-heruela-blackwater-barako-bull-blindsided-trade-basketball-pba |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/news/san-miguel-beer-trades-fortuna-to-blackwater-for-heruela-who-reunites-with-fajardo-at-beermen-camp|title=San Miguel acquires Fajardo pal Brian Heruela by sending Jeric Fortuna to Barako Bull|last=Badua|first=Snow|date=August 25, 2015|work=Spin.ph|accessdate=November 30, 2015}} He became the backup point guard in SMB's rotation.{{Cite web |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |date=November 7, 2016 |title=Leo Austria insists new boy RR Garcia not a surplus to requirements in SMB backcourt |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/coach-leo-austria-inists-smb-has-no-excess-of-point-guards-even-with-arrival-of-rr-garcia |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Panerio |first=Jonas |date=January 22, 2017 |title=Brian Heruela draws inspiration from Cebu crowd, makes most of rare start for star-studded SMB |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-draws-inspiration-from-cebu-crowd-makes-most-of-rare-start-for-star-studded-smb |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} In the 2017 Commissioner's Cup Finals, he was instrumental in limiting TNT's Jayson Castro.{{Cite web |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |date=June 23, 2017 |title=Brian Heruela makes every second count in rare appearance for Beermen |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-makes-most-of-extended-minutes-with-solid-defense-on-jayson-castro |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} He won 2 championships that season.{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2017 |title=IN PHOTOS: San Miguel fulfills 3-peat goal in 2017 Philippine Cup |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/163325-photos-san-miguel-3-peat-2017-pba-philippine-cup/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bacnis |first=Justine |date=July 2, 2017 |title=San Miguel ends 17-year Commissioner's Cup drought |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/san-miguel-ends-17-year-commissioners-cup-drought/89586 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |date=January 24, 2018 |title=Fajardo proud to relive college connection with pal Heruela |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/june-mar-fajardo-glad-to-relive-college-tandem-with-brian-heruela |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} He, along with the SMB bench, also stepped up in the Finals, as SMB eventually won its 4th straight All-Filipino Cup.{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2018 |title=Heruela, Espinas seize chance as much-maligned SMB bench make presence felt |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-gabby-espinas-san-miguel-beermen-bench-pba-philippine-cup-finals |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Dioquino |first=Delfin |date=April 6, 2018 |title=San Miguel bags 4th straight PH Cup title in double O.T. |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/199713-philippine-cup-san-miguel-beermen-champions-magnolia-hotshots-finals-game-5-april-6-2018/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}}

=TNT KaTropa (2018–2019)=

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.{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=January 13, 2019 |title=SMB trades for Terrence Romeo, Tubid, Zamar get PBA approval |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/smb-trades-for-terrence-romeo-tubid-zamar-get-pba-approval-a2437-20181219 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} He debuted with 14 points and two steals in a loss to the Beermen.{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=January 13, 2019 |title=Solid Heruela debut the silver lining in TNT loss to Ginebra on opening day |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-tnt-katropa-ginebra-pba-opening-a2437-20190113 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=August 2, 2019 |title=Brian Heruela faces possibility of battling former team SMB in finals |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/heruela-faces-possibility-of-battling-former-team-smb-in-finals-a795-20190802 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=August 5, 2019 |title=Brian Heruela draws Fred VanVleet comparisons as TNT spark off the bench |url=https://www.spin.ph/life/people/brian-heruela-on-fred-vanvleet-comparisons-tnt-vs-smb-pba-finals-a2437-20190805 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} In Game 2 however, he missed two crucial free throws that allowed the Beermen to send the game to overtime where they won.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=August 8, 2019 |title=Dickel faith in Rosario, Heruela unshaken despite costly free-throw misses |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/mark-dickel-faith-in-troy-rosario-brian-heruela-unshaken-despite-costly-free-throw-misses-a795-20190808 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} TNT eventually lost the Finals in six games.{{Cite web |last=Matel |first=Philip |date=August 16, 2019 |title=San Miguel finishes off TNT, claims Commissioner's Cup title |url=https://www.espn.ph/basketball/pba/story/_/id/27398794/san-miguel-finishes-tnt-claims-commissioner-cup-title |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He revealed that he injured his right shoulder during the Finals, which caused him to miss some games the following conference.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=October 9, 2019 |title=Brian Heruela admits playing with a shoulder tear during TNT-San Miguel finals |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-admits-playing-with-a-shoulder-tear-as-early-as-commissioner-s-cup-finals-a793-20191009 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

= Return to Blackwater Elite (2019)=

On October 19, 2019, he was traded back to the Blackwater Elite in exchange for Michael DiGregorio.{{cite news |date=October 23, 2019 |title=Need for veteran back-up PG prompted Blackwater to trade Digregorio |url=https://www.pba.ph/news/need-for-veteran-back-up-pg-prompted-blackwater-to-trade-digregorio |work=PBA.ph |accessdate=May 23, 2022}} He debuted with three assists in a loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=October 23, 2019 |title=No hard feelings after another trade as Heruela returns to Blackwater |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-trade-blackwater-tnt-pba-governors-cup-a795-20191023 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

=Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2020)=

On January 16, 2020, the Elite traded Heruela to the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in exchange for Ron Dennison.{{Cite web|url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-trade-phoenix-fuel-masters-ron-dennison-blackwater-a793-20200116|title = Blackwater trades Brian Heruela again, this time to Phoenix for Ron Dennison}} He then signed a one-year deal with them.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=January 25, 2020 |title=Brian Heruela, Jansen Rios officially on board at Phoenix after signing new contracts |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/brian-heruela-jansen-rios-sign-contracts-with-phoenix-fuel-masters-a793-20200125 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=November 9, 2020 |title=Phoenix rises from 16 point-hole, frustrates Blackwater for share of top spot |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/phoenix-vs-blackwater-result-box-scores-calvin-abueva-brian-heruela-a795-20201109 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}

= Return to TNT (2021–present) =

On February 23, 2021, Heruela, along with three future draft picks, was traded to the Alaska Aces for Vic Manuel and two draft picks.{{Cite web |date=February 23, 2021 |title=Alaska sends Vic Manuel to Phoenix for Brian Heruela |url=https://www.pba.ph/news/alaska-sends-vic-manuel-to-phoenix-for-brian-heruela |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=www.pba.ph |language=en}} However, he didn't sign with Alaska and signed with TNT instead, making a return to the franchise he last played for in 2019.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=March 12, 2021 |title=Brian Heruela makes TnT homecoming after inking a one-year free-agent deal |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/heruela-makes-tnt-homecoming-after-inking-a-one-year-contract-a793-20210312 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2021 |title=Referee who called Heruela foul on Lee taken off PBA Finals roster |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/referee-brian-heruela-foul-paul-lee-removed-pba-finals-a1374-20211025 |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last= |date=October 29, 2021 |title=TnT back as PBA champion |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/sports/2021/10/29/407292/tnt-back-as-pba-champion/ |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US}}

The following season, TNT reached the All-Filipino Finals once again, but TNT failed to defend its title, losing it to the Beermen.{{Cite web |last=Dioquino |first=Delfin |date=September 4, 2022 |title=San Miguel blasts TNT in Game 7 to reclaim All-Filipino title |url=https://www.rappler.com/sports/pba/philippine-cup-finals-results-san-miguel-beermen-tnt-tropang-giga-september-4-2022/ |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=RAPPLER |language=en-US}} Heruela then missed the Governors' Cup due to a foot injury with "cartilage defects".{{Cite web |last=Bolima |first=Martin Dale |date=January 26, 2023 |title=Injury bug continues to hound TNT as Erram, Reyes, Heruela all still out |url=https://onesports.ph/pba/article/9189/injury-bug-continues-to-hound-tnt-as-erram-reyes-heruela-all-still-out |access-date=January 26, 2023 |website=onesports.ph |language=en}}

PBA career statistics

As of the end of 2023–24 season{{Cite web |title=Brian Quinton Heruela Player Profile, TNT Tropang Giga - RealGM |url=https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Brian-Quinton-Heruela/Summary/83105 |website=basketball.realgm.com}}

=Season-by-season averages=

| align=left | {{pbay|2014}}

| align=left | Blackwater

| 26 || 33.2 || .431 || .203 || .617 || 4.9 || 5.2 || 1.5 || .3 || 10.6

| align=left | {{pbay|2015}}

| align=left | San Miguel

| 37 || 7.4 || .337 || .300 || .625 || 1.1 || 1.0 || .4 || .0 || 2.0

| align=left | {{pbay|2016}}

| align=left | San Miguel

| 40 || 8.5 || .361 || .257 || .684 || 1.4 || .9 || .4 || .1 || 2.1

| align=left | {{pbay|2017}}

| align=left | San Miguel

| 47 || 9.8 || .380 || .319 || .759 || 1.7 || 1.4 || .6 || .2 || 3.2

| align=left rowspan=2| {{pbay|2019}}

| align=left | TNT

| rowspan=2|44 || rowspan=2|20.3 || rowspan=2|.347 || rowspan=2|.286 || rowspan=2|.558 || rowspan=2|2.7 || rowspan=2|2.3 || rowspan=2|1.1 || rowspan=2|.2 || rowspan=2|4.6

| align=left | Blackwater

| align=left | {{pbay|2020}}

| align=left | Phoenix Super LPG

| 17 || 19.9 || .398 || .341 || .524 || 2.9 || 2.1 || .8 || .2 || 5.4

| align=left | {{pbay|2021}}

| align=left | TNT

| 36 || 13.8 || .367 || .313 || .250 || 1.8 || 1.1 || .7 || .1 || 2.8

| align=left | {{pbay|2022}}

| align=left | TNT

| 13 || 15.4 || .316 || .222 || .750 || 3.0 || 1.7 || .9 || .1 || 2.4

| align=left | {{pbay|2023}}

| align=left | TNT

| 23 || 11.8 || .375 || .355 || .571 || 1.2 || 1.5 || .3 || .1 || 2.5

|-class=sortbottom

| align=center colspan=2 | Career

| 283 || 14.6 || .378 || .289 || .610 || 2.1 || 1.8 || .7 || .1 || 3.8

Personal life

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.{{Cite web |last=Sacamos |first=Karlo |date=April 16, 2017 |title=Cornrows becoming SMB trend as Chris Ross, Alex Cabagnot join Brian Heruela in sporting same look |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/cornrows-becoming-smb-trend-as-chris-ross-alex-cabagnot-join-brian-heruela-in-sporting-look |access-date=September 26, 2022 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} 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.