San Miguel's Don Trollano hardly looked like someone who was coming off an injury as he erupted with 29 points against Magnolia in the PBA Philippine Cup.
After a one-game absence, Don Trollano returned with a bang Friday night, Nov. 7.
Trollano drilled in timely baskets and San Miguel survived Magnolia’s late-game uprising, 94-92, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
The SMB stalwart suffered from back spasms, causing him to skip their match against Converge the last time out.
“Sobrang sakit ng likod ko kaya hindi ako nakapaglaro last game,” said Trollano.
Trollano bared he felt a twinge in his back during the Beermen's flight to Dubai, where they tangled with Ginebra, last Oct. 27.
The pain got worse on the way home, so he opted to rest.
But now back in action, Trollano did not miss a beat, topscoring with 29 points as San Miguel collected its fourth straight win since its dismal 0-2 start.
[ALSO READ: Calvin Oftana heartbroken after Typhoon Tino ravaged home province Cebu]
Trollano hits crucial quadruple
His brightest moment came with under a minute left to play after unleashing a four-pointer that gave the Beermen the lead for good, 91-88.
“Open ako. Noong nakita kong wala na ring oras kaya tinira ko. Kumpiyansa naman,” said Trollano.
Backing up Trollano was Cjay Perez, who finished with 20 points, four rebounds and five steals.
June Mar Fajardo delivered 18 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block on rookie Chris Koon in the dying minutes of the fourth period.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Kelly Williams credits Chot's trust as he hits career-best 8 3s]
The Hotshots actually had plenty of chances to turn the tide.
Paul Lee even aimed for a quadruple with 24 seconds left to play and with Magnolia trailing, 88-92, but it rimmed out.
Chris Koon, though, managed to swish a last-gasp shot from the same spot to close in after Perez's freebies, 92-94, with 6.6 ticks remaining.
[RELATED STORY: PBA 50 games now available on Pilipinas Live, One Sports' YouTube for free]
But Perez made a blunder in the ensuing play, botching his next two shots from the stripe to fan the hopes of the Hotshots.
Fortunately for the former Best Player of the Conference and the rest of SMB, Jerom Lastimosa’s desperation heave from the four-point arc hit nothing but glass.
Zavier Lucero paced Magnolia with 20 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and four blocks, while Lastimosa chipped in 17 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Koon added 16 points.
Magnolia eyed to rejoin TNT (5-1) and Rain or Shine (5-1) atop the heap, but fell instead to a share of third with its foe and NLEX with their similar 4-2 records.
San Miguel vs. Magnolia Scores:
San Miguel 94 – Trollano 29, Perez 20, Fajardo 18, Tiongson 10, Lassiter 8, Cahilig 3, Cruz 2, Ross 2, Brondial 2, Tautuaa 0, Rosales 0
Magnolia 92 – Lucero 20, Lastimosa 17, Koon 16, Sanagalang 15, Laput 5, Lee 5, Barroca 4, Alfaro 3, Gomez de Liano 3, Dela Rosa 2, Verano 2, Escoto 0
Quarterscores: 25-17, 51-40, 69-70, 94-92
—
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.