Returning Trollano immediately delivers for Beermen, gains weekly PBA citation

MANILA, Philippines — Don Trollano made a difference for San Miguel in his return to the team last Friday in its game against Magnolia.

Trollano drained a 4-point shot with 53.2 seconds remaining in the Beermen’s 94-92 win over the Hotshots to extend their winning streak to four games.

But it wasn’t just in the dying seconds that Trollano produced for San Miguel. He had 29 points in the game, 14 of which coming in the second quarter where the Beermen held their biggest lead at 39-21.

Aside from the 4-pointer, Trollano also made three of his five 3-point attempts while also grabbing six rebounds to be named as the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period November 5-8.

Friday was the first time Trollano suited up for the Beermen since missing their previous game against Converge last November 2 due to a back injury.

“Sobrang sakit ng likod ko pero minanage lang ng PT namin. Medyo nabawasan naman ‘yung pain kaya nakapaglaro ako,” said Trollano.

“Nakita ko open ako. Nakita ko parang wala na ring oras kaya tinira ko na. Kumpiyansa lang,” said Trollano about his 4-point shot.

San Miguel coach Leo Austria was no longer surprised with the 4-pointer of Trollano, his player since their days with Adamson in college.

“During practice, he keeps on taking those 4-point shots. Even in Adamson, malayo ang range niya and he keeps on practicing that kind of shot. Minsan nga nagagalit ako kasi first pass pa lang, tinitira na. But this time, ‘yung kanyang tira, necessary ‘yun. Meron siyang sense of urgency. We need somebody who can spark from the perimeter,” said Austria.

Trollano edged the likes of Kelly Williams of TNT, Robert Bolick of NLEX and Jio Jalalon of TNT in the weekly award given by scribes from broadsheets, tabloids and online publications covering the PBA beat.