San Miguel has long set its sights on a Top Four finish. And with a seventh win, it appears it is on track toward achieving that in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
As soon as the ball left his hand, a four-point hit seemed imminent for Don Trollano.
That’s because at that point in the game, everything was simply clicking for Trollano and San Miguel in their eventual 116-92 thrashing of also-ran Blackwater in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Saturday, Dec. 13.
That shot gave the Beermen a commanding 108-88 lead over the hard-luck Bossing as they sustained a sizzling winning streak of seven straight games to join Rain or Shine on top with their identical 7-2 slates.
Trollano ended up with 22 points on 8-for-16 shooting while also collaring four rebounds.
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Modest as ever, the SMB winger said he was only trying to step up with previous Player of the Week Cjay Perez limited to just six points in the first half.
“Noong first half, medyo hindi tumatama ang tira ni Cjay. So my mindset is to be aggressive,” Trollano said.
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SMB inches closer to Top Four goal
Save for a minor bump in the third period, the Beermen were in control.
Perez eventually collected 16 points, while Rodney Brondial (15 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks) and June Mar Fajardo (11 markers, 12 boards and six assists) dominated the paint.
Jericho Cruz added 12 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals.
“For us kasi, this game is really, really important kasi nga 'yong standing [is tight],” said Trollano.
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Blackwater found an unlikely spark in James Una in the third, where he dropped 11 points.
The Bossing outscored the Beermen there, 35-30, but that just was not enough to flip the script.
In just his fifth PBA game, Una wound up with 19 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and a block.
Bradwyn Guinto submitted 16 points, while Jed Mendoza chipped in 15 for the Bossing, who dropped a ninth straight contest for a 1-9 tally.
San Miguel vs. Blackwater Scores:
San Miguel 116 - Trollano 22, Perez 16, Brondial 15, Cruz 12, Fajardo 11, Tautuaa 9, Tiongson 8, Calma 7, Lassiter 6, Cahilig 6, Miller 4, Mantua 0, Rosales 0, Ross 0, Teng 0.
Blackwater 92 - Una 19, Guinto 16, Mendoza 15, Jopia 10, Altamirano 7, Andrade 7, Malilin 6, Cruz-Dumont 4, David 4, Zamar 2, Barefield 2.
Quarterscores: 24-16, 51-36, 81-71, 116-92.
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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.