Don Trollano did everything he could on Tuesday night, when the TNT KaTropa tried to finish the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Three of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series, to sweep their way into the Finals.
The sweet-shooting 6-foot-3 forward best exemplified the grit-and-grind mantra on both ends of the floor. He dove for loose balls and jumped out of nowhere to grab his teammates’ misses to clean it up at times.
Trollano even had the unenviable task of staying in front of reigning Best Import Justin Brownlee during switches. Still, his efforts paid handsome dividends, as he held the American cager to a lowly six points in the first three quarters.
“Gusto ko lang maging aggressive, makakuha ng extra possessions. Importante sa’min ‘tong game na ‘to,” the four-year pro said.
“Actually hindi ko na nga maramdaman yung legs ko eh. Ang hirap bantayan ni Brownlee kasi.
“So stay lang sa harapan niya, gawin lang mahirap para sa kanya. Okay na ako doon,” Trollano added.
Trollano finished just a point shy of a double-double, with nine points and 10 rebounds in 30 minutes and 12 seconds of action. But unfortunately, all of the Adamson product’s efforts went down the drain.
The KaTropa lost, 72-80, as their fightback from an early double-digit deficit fell short. No thanks in particular to Brownlee, as he found his groove in the deciding quarter, scoring eight points en route to 14 markers.
“Siyempre masakit,” a dejected Trollano admitted moments after the match. “Kasi siyempre binigay na rin naman yung lahat, ganun yung resulta.
“Pero wala eh, ganun talaga eh. Bawi kami next game. Ganun talaga basketball eh.”
The series is still in the Texters’ favor at 2-1, though. They are still only one win away from reaching the Big Dance for the first time since the 2017 edition of the mid-season joust. And with this opportunity, Trollano vowed he will give it his all once more.
“Of course. Siyempre,” said the 27-year-old.
“Trabaho ko ganun. Kahit saang game, yun makikita niyo.”
