English
(Don Trollano was fondly called by former teammates at Tropang Giga – “Kobe”)
Don Trollano admitted he loves taking shots with the game on the line, like the one he hit to clinch NLEX’s 90 – 89 win over reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion TNT on Thursday night at the Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo.
Trollano recalls those occasions in the Road Warriors’ training when he was certain the ball would go in after he released it.
“Pina-practice ko naman yung shot na yun. Kumportable akong itira yung ganung klase ng shot,” [I have been practicing that shot. I’m comfortable throwing that kind of shot] said the NLEX veteran after scoring the game-winner with 2.2 seconds left to cap the Road Warriors’ comeback from 12 points down early in the fourth quarter.
“I love those kinds of shots, yung crucial ba,” the athlete says with a slight grin.
Trollano who was only a second option in the play prepared by coach Yeng Guiao after a timeout. Troy Rosario then put the Tropang Giga back on top, 89 – 88, it was a very critical moment for both teams on the hard court.
Calvin Oftana is the designated first option, according to Guiao, who will emerge from a screen by Kevin Alas.
“Pero hindi na hinanap ni Don si Calvin, e. Talagang gusto niya siya ang tumira,” [But Don no longer looked for Calvin, e. He really wanted that shot] shared Guiao.
“Inangkin ko na,”[I claimed it and owned it already] added Trollano.
But more than being the hero, Trollano said winning the game was first and foremost for him and the Road Warriors, who improved to a 2 – 1 record.
Trollano had 11 points, six rebounds, and two assists in the game. He shot 5 of 12 from the field, but hit the game winning shot to hand his former squad its second loss in four games.
While still playing for the Tropang Giga two years ago, Trollano went by a familiar nickname.
“Kobe ang tawag sa akin dun,” [They call me Kobe over there] he said.
Summary of Scores:
• NLEX scores 90 – Oftana 20, Quinahan 18, Alas 16, Trollano 11, Rosales 8, Magat 5, Ighalo 4, Miranda 2, Soyud 2, Varilla 2, Semerad 2, Chua 0. • TNT scores 89 – Pogoy 28, Erram 11, Rosario 11, K. Williams 11, Castro 8, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 5, Alejandro 4, Cruz 2, Reyes 2, Tungcab 2, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Banal 0.
Scores per Quarter: 26 – 24; 45 – 52; 66 – 74; 90 – 89.
