PBA: Don Trollano shines in debut, helps San Miguel wallop Ginebra

Days after being involved in a three-team trade, Don Trollano showed no signs of jitters as he helped San Miguel in thrashing Barangay Ginebra, 95-82, to halt their dry spell on Friday in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Trollano wasted no time announcing his arrival as the former NLEX star tallied 16 points, six rebounds, one steal, and one block, while Chris Ross top-scored with 22 markers, six dimes, four boards, and three swats to steer the Beermen to an improved 4-3 card. 

Ginebra, meanwhile, fell to a similar 4-3 record after enduring their second straight defeat. 

San Miguel created some separation in the second quarter when Trollano, who spent three seasons with the Road Warriors, buried three three-pointers in the frame where he collected 12 of his overall output to send his side to a 56-36 cushion. 

Tony Bishop's triple midway through the fourth quarter saw the Gin Kings trail by just four, 79-75, but San Miguel retaliated with a huge 13-0 run capped by a Ross layup to again establish a double digit upper hand, 92-75, with 1:52 left to play. 

Jericho Cruz, whose eight points fueled that rampage, chipped in 16 points off the bench on top of four rebounds, two assists, and a steal while CJ Perez and import Ivan Aska chimed in with 13 and 10 points apiece. 

San Miguel will next take on TNT on Sunday while Ginebra will tangle with Meralco on Friday in bid to end its own losing streak. 

Scores:

SMB 95 – Ross 22, Trollano 16, Cruz 16, Perez 13, Aska 10, Romeo 9, Tautuaa 6, Lassiter 3, Brondial 0.

Ginebra 82 – Bishop 20, Ahanmisi 13, Malonzo 11, Pessumal 11, Pringle 10, J.Aguilar 6, Standhardinger 4, Tenorio 3, Onwubere 3, Cu 1, Gumaru 0.

Quarterscores: 24-22, 56-36, 73-52, 95-82

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News