TROY Mallillin’s stint with San Miguel lasted just a season, but he did establish a strong bond with the team.
No wonder, he admitted missing the old times with the Beermen when he faced his former team for the first time since the 26-year-old forward parted ways with the Beermen six months ago.
“Before the game, pag kakita ko sa kanila, na-miss ko (sila) bigla. Alam mo yung ganung feeling,” he said after the Bossing lost, 115-78, to the Beermen in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
READ Troy Mallillin makes most out of extended minutes with Blackwater
Although not happy with the loss, Mallillin said it was a thrill for him sharing the same court with his former teammates again.
“Excited ako na nakaharap sila, masaya na nakatapat sila, at na-test ko yung kakayahan ko against sa dati kong team,” said the product of Ateneo, who finished with six points and seven rebounds in the Bossing’s seventh loss in eight outings.
A third-round pick of San Miguel in the Season 48 Draft at No. 35 overall, Mallillin’s stay at San Miguel was marked by a championship in the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup and a runner-up finish in the Philippine Cup.
But he was relegated to the Unrestricted Free Agent list (with rights to salary) prior to Season 49 by the Beermen, before eventually getting the call from Blackwater prior to the kickoff of the All-Filipino conference.
“Bale yung contract ko sa San Miguel itinuloy lang ng Blackwater,” he noted.
In the short stretch he’s been with the Bossing, Mallillin has shown his value to coach Jeff Cariaso, never mind the losing record of the team.
“Masaya ako sa team ko ngayon kasi napapakita ko yung laro ko, nabibigyan ako ng tiwala ni coach Jeff, at siyempre yung tiwala na yun, hindi ko sasayangin. Kahit anong ibigay niya sa akin na role, gagawin ko,” he said.
Perfect proof was Blackwater’s game against Barangay Ginebra on Friday where the Bossing had the Kings on the rope until Japeth Aguilar hit the game-winning basket to escape with a 101-99 thriller.
Mallillin hit a clutch three pointer with 19 seconds left to tie the game for the last time.
“Na kuya Japeth kami, e,” he said with a laugh. “Pero magandang ano yun, experience, good yun para sa amin. Teamwork talaga, na-feel namin na kaya naming sumabay.”
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