Don Trollano knocked down the marginal three-pointer to lift San Miguel past Barangay Ginebra, 85-82, for its second win in a row in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.
The seasoned wing struck it from the corner with 8.3 seconds left, breaking the 82-all knot–and making sure that their efforts of saving the possession after June Mar Fajardo missed from deep in the play prior won’t go for naught.
The Beermen then leaned on defense, preventing Justin Brownlee and Scottie Thompson from getting any good look from deep to seal the victory, and eventually complete the comeback from as much as 15 points down.
(C) PBA Images
“We all know that CJ will be having the ball, and they will try to stop CJ on his penetration. But his confidence with Don is there,” said head coach Leo Austria. “And Don, I’m happy for him, he made that big shot. That’s the difference.
“God was on our side eh,” added the champion mentor, relieved that his men were able to pull off the great escape in the league’s Easter special.
CJ Perez top-scored for SMB with 20 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, as he bounced back after a scoreless first half due to foul trouble.
Fifteen of his points came in the final period alone to power the fightback before coming through with the key plays down the stretch, none bigger than his offensive rebound and the assist to Trollano shortly after for the winner.
“Sabi ko nga kanina, pumunta ako rito para mag-basketball, hindi magpa-cute sa bench,” said the 32-year-old product of Lyceum. “Nakaka-frustrate siya pero nag-focus lang ako, stayed composed, nilaro ko lang ‘yung laro ko nung second half.”
Justin Patton supplied 19 points and 17 rebounds as he emerged as the better Justin in his highly anticipated showdown with the decorated Brownlee.
Trollano finished with 12 points for SMB, which improved to 3-2 in the standings now that it’s built a winning streak for the first time in this conference.
The Beermen will next challenge the 4-0 Rain or Shine in what should be a playoff-like battle this Wednesday, April 8, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
(C) PBA Images
Brownlee led Ginebra with a game-high 31 points, albeit on 32 shots, as he got challenged on defense by the 7-foot-1 former NBA pro in Patton.
RJ Abarrientos had 16 points, four rebounds, and seven assists while Stephen Holt added 11 as the trio was the only source of offense for a side that missed Japeth Aguilar due to injury and Ralph Cu because of Gilas 3×3 duties.
Now at 2-2, the Kings will shoot for a quick bounce-back against Magnolia in another Manila Clasico affair this Friday, April 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
San Miguel 85 – Perez 20, Patton 19, Trollano 12, Tautuaa 8, Rosales 6, Cahilig 6, Fajardo 6, Lassiter 4, Cruz 4, Tiongson 0.
Ginebra 82 – Brownlee 31, Abarrientos 16, Holt 11, Rosario 7, Go 6, Torres 5, Thompson 3, Gray 3.
Quarterscores: 12-26, 35-36, 58-66, 85-82.
