Don Trollano enabled San Miguel to rebound from a controversial loss in Game 1 against TNT in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals.
Don Trollano did not need much to find his bearings in San Miguel's 98-92 bounce-back win over TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, July 16.
With the Beermen needing someone who would close out the match, Trollano responded with 12 of his 22 points in the fourth period to allow them to tie the series.
The sweet-shooting sniper, who also had six rebounds, was simply repaying Leo Austria’s trust.
“Kahit mag-zero out of 20 ako, I’m still going to shoot whatever happens. Nagtiwala sa'kin si coach. Kailangan ko lang suklian,” Trollano said.
Austria was just as confident in his prized winger.
“Very steady siya. From the start of the second quarter, makikita mo sa body language niya. Unlike sa practice na tatawa-tawa lang siya. Pero tonight, makikita mong seryoso siya. That’s a sign he wants to win,” Austria said.
Trollano's five straight points inside the final four minutes opened up a 10-point lead, 94-84, for the Beermen which they protected until the final buzzer.
Don Trollano with San Miguel's semifinals Game 7 hero, Chris Ross | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
But while Trollano stole the spotlight, the rest of the Beermen looked as determined to rebound after a controversial finish to their Game 1 loss.
June Mar Fajardo turned in 17 points, nine rebounds, three assists and a steal, while Mo Tautuaa — whose basket interference with 56 ticks left in Game 1 eventually cost them the game — put up 16 points and four rebounds.
[ALSO READ: PBA: San Miguel superstar June Mar Fajardo still BPC front-runner]
Jeron Teng also provided some spark off the bench as he poured all of his 10 points in the second quarter where San Miguel first built a double-digit cushion.
“After the loss, I think we have to bounce back. Everybody realized na we have to step up kasi hindi birong malagay sa 0-2,” said Austria.
Meanwhile, Calvin Oftana paced TNT with 23 points and seven boards, while Jordan Heading had 15 points, two rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Kelly Williams added 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals.
San Miguel vs. TNT scores:
SAN MIGUEL 98 – Trollano 22, Fajardo 17, Tautuaa 16, Teng 10, Perez 8, Ross 7, Cruz 6, Brondial 6, Tiongson 4, Lassiter 2.
TNT 92 – Oftana 23, Heading 15, Williams 11, Ganuelas-Rosser 10, Enciso 7, Erram 6, Pogoy 6, Khobuntin 6, Aurin 4, Heruela 4, Galinato 0, Varilla 0, Nieto 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 51-39, 75-74, 98-92.