As one of the key figures in San Miguel’s second unit, Don Trollano’s hard work has finally been rewarded.
The 33-year-old guard will be honored as Mr. Quality Minutes when the PBA Press Corps holds its 31st Annual Awards Night on October 13 at Novotel Manila.
Trollano averaged 9.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists off the bench for the Beermen. And he played a vital role in their successful campaign to reclaim the Philippine Cup championship in Season 49.
He becomes the sixth San Miguel player to receive the award, which is equivalent to the Sixth Man of the Year honor. Previous Beermen to earn the recognition include Bong Alvarez, the late Boybits Victoria, Chris Calaguio, Terrence Romeo, and Jericho Cruz.
Sharing the spotlight with Trollano during the gala are members of the All-Rookie Team, headlined by Rookie of the Year winner RJ Abarrientos of Ginebra.
Joining Abarrientos are fellow Rookie of the Year candidates Sedrick Barefield (Blackwater), Caelan Tiongson (Rain or Shine), Kai Ballungay (Phoenix), and the pair of Jordan Heading (TNT/Converge) and Justine Baltazar (Converge).
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Although Heading and Baltazar fell short of the 70-percent minimum games played requirement, their significant impact on their respective teams earned them a place on the All-Rookie Team, as recognized by the journalists covering the PBA beat.
The 6-foot-9 Baltazar, last season’s No. 1 overall pick, posted impressive averages of 12.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for Converge.
He helped the FiberXers come close to a breakthrough semifinal appearance in both the Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup.
(C) PBA Images
Heading, part of the Rookie Class of 2020, averaged 15.5 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while splitting his time between Converge (Commissioner’s Cup) and TNT (Philippine Cup) in his much-anticipated PBA debut.
The Fil-Australian guard also emerged as a leading contender for Best Player of the Conference during the mid-season tournament and later made his first PBA Finals appearance with the Tropang 5G in the All-Filipino Conference.
Previously announced awardees by the Press Corps include Arvin Tolentino as Scoring Champion and Calvin Oftana as Order of Merit winner.
