Don Trollano finished with a double-double in San Miguel's pivotal win No. 3 vs. Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday, May 22.
In a game where June Mar Fajardo was limited offensively, Don Trollano carried the cudgels as San Miguel moved on the threshold of another finals appearance with a 117-107 win over Rain or Shine in Game Three of their penultimate round battle in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Wednesday, May 22.
Trollano tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds, doing the damage in the fourth to help quell the Elasto Painters' repeated fightbacks and shove the Beermen to a comfortable 3-0 advantage in the best-of-seven series.
Fajardo, latest recipient of the Player of the Week honors, struggled with 11 points, but also collected 11 boards, three assists and two blocks.
Rain or Shine limits San Miguel's June Mar Fajardo's offensive output to just 11 points. | Photo (c) PBA
"I think Rain or Shine did a good job defending June Mar. For me, iniisip ko lang, I needed to step up. Nandoon lang ako siguro sa perfect place at perfect time," said Trollano.
But even with Fajardo limited on offense, San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent had a lot of weapons at his disposal.
CJ Perez led the way with 23 points while Marcio Lassiter kept getting closer to unseating Allan Caidic for the No. 2 spot in the list of most three-pointers made all-time as he swung five triples on his way to 21 points.
[RELATED STORY: 'That will be a very special moment for me' | Marcio Lassiter climbs to 3rd, on track of topping all-time PBA 3-point list]
Hometown hero Terrence Romeo added 13, capped by a triple in garbage time that sparked the ire of Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao explains endgame verbal spat with San Miguel’s Terrence Romeo in Game 3 | OneSports.PH]
Chris Ross and Mo Tautuaa scored 12 and 10, respectively.
Trollano conspired with Romeo and Perez in a three-minute span halfway in the fourth to help give the Beermen a 109-102 breathing room heading into the final three minutes of play.
The Elasto Painters, who repeatedly tried to close in on San Miguel throughout, leaned on Santi Santillan this time to champion their cause. He came through with a triple to trim the gap to 105-109 with 1:29 to go.
But Lassiter answered with his own basket from deep that buried Rain or Shine for good.
Beau Belga uncorked six three-pointers, the last of which helped the Elasto Painters inch within 97-99 at the 5:59 mark of the final period. He finished with a team-best 19 points.
Adrian Nocum, Keith Datu and Jhonard Clarito chipped in 14 points each.