Don Trollano felt at home the very moment he joined San Miguel following a series of trades that ultimately brought him to the PBA powerhouse.
The seasoned wingman hardly needed time to adjust, big thanks to the presence of former Adamson Soaring Falcons teammates Jericho Cruz and Rodney Brondial, plus, of course, their mentor in active consultant Leo Austria.
His arrival also marked a reunion with Mo Tautua’a, whom he played alongside with in Cagayan Valley in the D-League before joining the pros in 2015.
“Komportable ako kasi nakasama ko na rin sina Jericho, mga vets,” said Trollano, who was recruited by Austria to Adamson after seeing him with UE’s B-team in the Fr. Martin Cup. “Gina-guide nila ako, so parang at home. Mas relaxed.”
That comfortability was evident in his debut Wednesday night, when he helped the Beermen beat Ginebra, 95-82, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The 31-year-old finished with 16 points, including 12 of SMB’s 32 points in the second chapter that saw the squad establish a commanding 56-36 lead at the halftime break as they remained ahead to the end.
His debut faced a serious challenge when the Kings got to within four late in the game but his good pal Cruz made sure that it wouldn’t get spoiled, conniving with Chris Ross for the decisive run that put the game out of reach.
“Sinabi lang ng mga coaches na just be aggressive kapag open, tira. Shumoot kasi yung tira ko nung pangalawa sa middle, yung malakas, so nakita kong pumasok. Nag-start na yung kumpiyansa,” said Trollano of his game.
Even the 38-year-old Ross had nothing but praises for the one-time PBA champion, in awe not just of his talent but of his character.
“Don is a player, man,” he said. “I’ve been raving about Don for years now. Competing against him for so many years in the Finals, he’s a player.
“He came in and he was seamless. He picked up the offense, he picked up the defensive schemes that we’re running, he made big shots.
“He’s a complete player,” added the vet, who finished with 22 points. “He’s very low-maintenance, I have never been around Don like that but super low-maintenance, super quiet guy, but his game is loud. Big help for us.”
Ross himself was among those who made it so easy for Trollano to fit with San Miguel right away. “Even before, kahit nung nagkakalaban kami, lagi niya akong kinakausap.
‘I like your game,’ ganun,” he said.
“Kaya nung nalipat ako parang at home ba, parang komportable agad ako kahit na three days pa lang ako nagpa-practice sa kanila, parang matagal ko na silang kasama,” added the 15th overall pick by Rain or Shine.
Now that he has played his first outing with San Miguel, Trollano looks forward to what the future holds for him with his fifth team in the league, hoping, of course, that it ends up with him winning another championship.
“May chance to compete sa championship. Storied franchise, kumbaga proven na silang winner,” he said.
“Lagi silang champion.”
