SAN Miguel displayed its vaunted depth in its 93-84 Game Two win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup semifinals on Sunday.
While Jeron Teng led the bench mob, Don Trollano also showed how deep the Beermen can be as he brought his A-game as well to help his team tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
Entering the Final Four, Trollano was averaging 16.8 points alongside 3.9 boards, and 1.7 assists in 11 games to rank Top 12 in the statistical points standings for the Best Player of the Conference.
READ TNT cruises to wire-to-wire win, takes 2-0 lead against Meralco
But the veteran wingman was held to just five points on 1-of-7 shooting, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, against three turnovers in 24 minutes in the team’s 99-90 defeat in Game One.
Trollano, though, was back to his deadly self in the second game, tallying 12 points. Although he went just 4-of-13 from the field, he scored nine in the second half to help the Beermen finish off the Gin Kings. He completed his effort with five rebounds, and two assists, against two turnovers in just 22 minutes.
“We have to be aggressive especially second group kasi nga in Game One, walang productive sa second group,” Trollano admitted. “So, napag-usapan namin ng second group na from the start, we just have to be aggressive kahit may missteps.”
In Game One, SMB had only three double-digit scorers. This time, the Beermen produced five double-figure scorers, including Trollano.
Trollano pointed to Ginebra’s defensive schemes in the series opener that left the Beermen disoriented. But they didn’t take long to make their counter.
“Actually, na-surprise din kami sa depensa nila nung sa Game One. Pero series or game of adjustments,” he said.
Good thing he also had plenty of help from the bench as Teng fired 13 points in 15 minutes after getting no action in Game One.
“Sobrang laking bagay ni JT especially after Game One. Bilib din ako kay JT kasi hindi naman yun din siya naggamit. So he’s always ready,” Trollano said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
