The chance to represent the Philippines in the 2018 Asian Games had actually slipped away from Don Trollano at one point.
The initial plan by the Philippine Basketball Association and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas was to send the TNT Katropa’s core to the quadrennial showpiece, which will include the 6-foot-3 Trollano.
But when TNT’s major pieces such as Troy Rosario, Roger Pogoy, Terrence Romeo, and Jayson Castro were suspended by FIBA due to the brawl they got into with Australia, the idea to send the Texters’ core was scrapped.
And to make it even more crushing for Trollano was when the federation shockingly announced that the country won’t be participating in the tilt anymore, saying that joining the Asian Games would not be optimal.
“Naghinayang ako nung sinabing hindi na matutuloy,” admitted the 26-year-old, who has been vocal of his readiness for the upcoming contest eversince.
“Kasi dream ‘yan eh, dream ng lahat ng player na makapag-laro para sa bansa natin.”
But fate has its’ ways, really.
The federation, just this Sunday, took back their hardly-accepted decision and announced that the Philippines will be rejoining the Asiad — a decision where the voice of the Filipino basketball fans played a major role.
Given that, the PBA and SBP’s plan to send a team’s core remained. This time though, they will be sending the nucleus of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, and that team will be mentored by their former head coach Yeng Guiao.
Guiao then said that given the limited time they have for the tilt, he would want to have players who have been familiar with his system. So, he sought for the likes of Paul Lee, James Yap, and Asi Taulava from their mother teams.
And of course, Guiao also added Trollano to his 14-man pool — Trollano was drafted by the Elasto Painters back in 2015 as their 15th overall pick, and he had been part of the Rain or Shine team that won the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
So for Trollano, he couldn’t be grateful enough that he got called up.
“Siyempre, masaya. Hindi ko naman kasi ine-expect na matatawag ulit ako,” the the 6-foot-3 swingman beamed. “Kasi ‘di ba, ang dami naman nating mas magagaling na players. Very thankful. Pinaghandaan ko rin naman. Kasi ‘di ba, dapat TNT.
“So after ng break namin, nag-extra pa rin ako kasi ‘di ba. And then nabalitaan na nag-pull out, dire-diretso pa rin. So noong natawag ako, ready ako. ‘Di ba? Tapos ngayon andito na ako.”
The Nationals have wrapped up their second day of practice on Tuesday night. And for Trollano, he never found it hard to re-adjust to the system, even if he has been away from the Elasto Painters for several months now.
“Actually, sobrang komportable kasi ‘yung play, ‘yun pa rin eh. Hindi nabago. Alam na alam ko pa rin,” proudly shared the Catanduanes-native. “Kaya sobrang komportable. Lahat ng galaw, alam ko na.
“Walang adjustment, ‘yun pa rin.”
