LIGHTS NOT TOO BRIGHT: Beermen seize 2–1 semis lead as Trollano shines with 33 in Game 3

Another game, another man with the superhero cape.

In game two, it was Jeron Teng, now, Don Trollano has stepped up to the plate with the second highest scoring game of his 10-year career to lift the San Miguel Beermen, 91–85, over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in game three to snag a 2–1 lead in their PBA 50 Philippine Cup semifinal duel at the Araneta Coliseum, Jan. 9. 

Trollano, who posted a career-high 44 points in 2020 when he was with the NLEX Road Warrior, just averaged 8.5 points per game in this series. But he came in relief for nine-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo, who only scored five points in this game as he was dealt with a shoulder issue according to Beermen coach Leo Austria.

The 10-year veteran’s points weren’t just crucial, they were timely.

“First two games, ‘di masyado maganda nilalaro ko. So coming into this game, the mindset is just to play my game, be aggressive, and if I’m open, just shoot it,” said Trollano postgame.

“Actually sobrang hirap, sobrang pagod. Siguro pag uwi ko tulog na agad ako sa sobrang pagod. Pero credit lang sa depensa ng Ginebra, sobrang nahirapan si June Mar,” he added.

Off the bench, Trollano anchored San Miguel’s offense late in the first quarter and was key in erasing a 16–15 Ginebra lead and turning it into a 26–21 advantage after the first period.

Ginebra couldn’t simply stop Trollano.

The 34-year-old fully penned his mark in the third quarter with 14 points to power an extended 21–2 Beermen run that pushed the lead to a peak of 18 points. 

Meanwhile, Fajardo, who was averaging a comfortable, but monstrous 24.0 points, and 23.0 rebounds per game was haunted by double teams wherever on the court, whether it be in the paint, the post, or even while he’s doing some screening action. 

Ginebra made it their mission to stop abai.

And Tim Cone’s plan worked, as Fajardo only shot 1–8 from the field and went scoreless for the first three periods thanks to the constant pestering of red-jerseyed players. 

Yet, the Pinamungajan, Cebu native still did Kraken things and grabbed 19 rebounds while posting a +7 in the minutes he played.

It was not only Trollano who feasted, however, CJ Perez was his tandem as the former no.1 overall pick posted 19 points on 8–17 shooting, while Moala Tautuaa was the main scoring big man with 13 points on 60% shooting. 

On the other hand, Ginebra scorer RJ Abarrientos only scored 14 points on a series low of 26.7% shooting, some ways off his 20.5 points average on 43.35% from the field for the first two games.

 Meanwhile, Scottie Thompson chipped in a valiant 17 points, nine rebounds and four assists, but it wasn’t enough for the Gin Kings who got crushed, 14–23 by the Beermen on the offensive boards. 

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone now faces a defining choice: continue committing resources to slowing down June Mar Fajardo, or return to the balanced approach that delivered a 99–90 victory in Game 1.
The next chapter unfolds on Jan. 11, Sunday.

With reports from PBA.ph