ANTIPOLO – Don Trollano wasn’t even the main option in the play NLEX drew up in the final seconds of its PBA Philippine Cup duel with TNT, Thursday.
But the veteran forward took charge, and ultimately emerged as the hero that the Road Warriors needed to take down the defending champions.
The 30-year-old sank the go-ahead jumper against counterpart Glenn Khobuntin with 2.2 seconds left, and his side went on to collect the gritty 90-89 victory to return to the win column after losing a tight one against San Miguel last week.
“Wala, inangkin ko na.
“Wala, eight seconds na lang e,” Trollano admitted while receiving high-fives and congratulatory messages from teammates and opponents alike while on his way out of the Ynares Center here.
Head coach Yeng Guiao bared that Calvin Oftana was actually the first option in that final play until Trollano decided that he’d take matters on his own.
The veteran mentor had no problems with it whatsoever. After all, he’s known the Adamson University product better than anyone else on the team.
“Second option namin si Don, second option namin.
“First option namin si Calvin, off the screen of Kevin. Pero hindi na hinanap ni Don si Calvin, mukhang talagang gusto niya siya tumira,” Guiao said.
It’s a shot that Trollano himself said he loves taking, something that he’s comfortable with since he puts in the work to make those when needed.
“Pina-praktis ko naman ‘yung shot na ‘yun,” said the seven-year pro, who finished with 11 points. “Komportable ako itira ‘yung ganung klase [ng tira].
“I love those kinds of shots, ‘yung mga pang-crucial ba, ginagawa namin sa practice. Nakikita naman ni Coach ‘yun,” he added.
Trollano said that he badly wanted to win it to give NLEX momentum heading into its clash with leaders Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday, June 22, in a rematch of the Season 46 Governors’ Cup semifinals.
“Kumpiyansa lang, kumbaga. Kailangan manalo e,” the one-time champion said. “Kung matalo kami, next game namin is Ginebra, baka magsunod-sunod. Kailangan na kailangan namin ‘yung panalo. ‘Yun lang nasa isip ko.”
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