On a night June Mar Fajardo struggled offensively, Don Trollano carried the load for San Miguel in its Game 3 win over Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
June Mar Fajardo did not need to be at his best for San Miguel to win.
In his stead, Don Trollano did most of the damage as San Miguel pummeled Ginebra, 91-85, in Game 3 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Friday, Jan. 9.
Trollano exploded with 33 points on 11-for-21 shooting to help the Beermen win back-to-back games and gain a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
He also had six rebounds, three assists and two steals.
“For me kasi, first two games, medyo hindi maganda ang nilalaro ko. So, coming to this game, the mindset is just play my game, be aggressive. When open, shoot it,” said Trollano after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Don Trollano shares SMB second unit pep talk in semis Game 2 victory over Ginebra]
Fajardo, nursing a shoulder injury, only had six points but collared 19 rebounds. The 6-foot-10 behemoth also dished out four assists and swiped a steal.
June Mar Fajardo holds his shoulders during Game 3 of the PBA semifinal battle between San Miguel and Ginebra. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
Don't count Trollano out
The former Adamson standout set the tone early, dropping 11 in the first two quarters of action to fuel SMB's 13-point advantage, 40-27.
The Beermen led by as many 18 points, 70-52, in the third, but the Gin Kings refused to fold, threatening to turn the tables late in the match.
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RJ Abarrientos scored five points in an 8-0 run that got Ginebra to as close as four, 83-87, with only three minutes remaining.
But even with Fajardo struggling on offense, San Miguel did just enough for the victory.
Cjay Perez finished with 19 points, three rebounds and three assists, while Mo Tautuaa had 13 points.
Meanwhile, Ginebra leaned on the trio of Scottie Thompson (17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two steals), Japeth Aguilar (14 points) and Abarrientos (14) but still trailed for the first time in the series.
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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.