DON Trollano came off the bench to provide San Miguel Beer a big boost that ultimately resulted in a 111-92 victory over Phoenix Sunday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Trollano scored 10 of his personal conference-high 21 points in the second period, leading an explosive show by the Beermen's relievers that enabled them to break out of what started as a very tight game and into a 64-46 cushion.
Bolstered by a comfortable lead, CJ Perez, June Mar Fajardo and the other SMB starters returned and stretched the difference to as much as 89-65 before practically cruising to a bounce back win from a 97-107 loss to TNT last Sunday and into a fourth win in six games.
Beermen coach Leo Austria was obviously pleased with the way his relievers stepped up with 46 points after being limited to just six by the Tropang 5G.
"From six points to 46 points... that's a lot. Usually, we're relying on our bench because our bench could be starters (on other teams)," said Austria.
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"They are very motivated to win because of that loss to TNT and there's no other way for us but to win because if we had lost, we will drop to No. 8," added Austria. "Now maybe we're still in the top three and on track for a top four."
"Just play hard," said Trollano, who missed all his three attempts in his scoreless game against TNT but made seven of his 13 shots against Phoenix.
"Kailangan naming mag-step up pag nag-struggle first group and the mind-set is just to win," added Trollano. "We cannot afford to lose back-to-back games kasi nga, 'yung standing is dikit-dikit so kapag natalo kami babagsak kami."
Perez still led SMB with 26 points while Fajardo notched a sixth straight double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds despite sitting out the entire second quarter.
Aside from anchoring the defense of Fajardo, Kai Ballungay also had 23 points to lead Phoenix, which dropped to a 2-4 slate.
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Kenneth Tuffin added 16 points and Jason Perkins 15 points and nine rebounds, but the Fuel Masters failed to sustain their fine start that saw them lead by 16-9 before trailing by just 29-30 after the opening quarter.
Then SMB's relievers began springing into action and their defense also held steady, limiting Phoenix to a 13-of-32 field shooting in the two middle quarters to take an 85-63 lead into the fourth period. (NC)
The Scores :
SAN MIGUEL 111- Perez 26, Trollano 21, Fajardo 20, Lassiter 11, Brondial 8, Tautuaa 7, Teng 6, Cruz 5, Ross 4, Calma 3, Teng 2, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0, Tiongson 0.
PHOENIX 92 - Ballungay 23, Tuffin 16, Perkins 15, Tio 8, Daves 8, Manganti 5, Rivero 5, Camacho 4, Verano 4, Jazul 3, Garcia 1, Alejandro 0, Cullar 0, Soyud 0, Ular 0.
QUARTERS: 30-29, 64-50, 85-63, 111-92
