After the PBA Board of Governors agreed to send the core of the TNT Katropa to the 2018 Asian Games, Jericho Cruz and Don Trollano expressed delight and determination about the possibility of them being included in the Philippine contingent.
With the interest of the country in mind, the board expressed their desire to field in a team that is as competitive as possible for the continental meet. That is why they are sending the Katropa to join Andray Blatche and the Cadets for the tournament.
That core might be around seven or eight players, and that will include Cruz and Trollano.
“Sobrang happy. I get to represent not only my team but buong bayan. Blessing in disguise yun na I can do it with my team,” said the six-foot-one Cruz.
“It’s… sobrang saya [so I would really] want to cherish the moment.”
“Oo. Excited. Siyempre isang karangalan yun, mula bata ka yun ang pinangarap mo, na ma-represent natin ang bansa natin,” beamed Trollano, on the other hand.
“‘Di ko pa iniisip na makasama ako pero ready lang.”
Of the two, Cruz is the one who has experience playing abroad. The 27-year-old was part of Sinag Pilipinas back in 2013, where he and the young squad competed in Myanmar and won a gold medal in the SEA Games.
“At least kahit paano may experience na rin ako playing sa SEA games in Myanmar,” reflected Cruz.
“If ever na makuha ako na makapaglaro sa Gilas for Asian Games, I’ll do my best, and give everything I got.”
Meanwhile, for Trollano, this possible Asian Games trip has him feeling sentimental, for this will be another part of his career where he and Cruz will play alongside each other — they had been teammates in Adamson years back.
“Tinext niya nga ako. Sabi niya, ‘Pre mukhang kasama tayong dalawa.’ May balat ata tayo sa pwet, ‘di tayo pinaghihiwalay.’ Tinext niya ako sabi ko, ‘[expletive] mula Adamson tayo pa rin hanggang ngayon’,” quipped Trollano.
Things have yet to be finalized, but for the two Soaring Falcons, if ever everything will be certain soon, this will be an opportunity that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
“Lahat ng sakripisyo ko sa training ibubuhos ko din kasi once in a lifetime na makasama ka doon to represent the country eh,” expressed Cruz.
“Sobrang special. Yun ang maipagmamalaki mo sa anak mo na na-represent ko yung bansa natin,” closed Trollano.
“Kahit anong ipagawa sa akin, gagawin ko.”
