THAT heartbreaker of a loss in Game 2 only stimulated the fight in TnT Katropa.
Don Trollano admitted using the team's 127-125 double overtime loss to San Miguel Beer the last time as motivation for the Katropa's bounce back win in Game 3 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trollano hit a career-high 18 points on 3-of-7 shooting from three-point range in a splendid performance in the Katropa's 115-105 win that regained for them the lead in the best-of-seven title series, 2-1.
"Yung Game 2 nga nakawala sa kamay namin, kumbaga sa amin na, e," said the hardworking TnT guard.
"So ang mindset namin is to bounce back. Kaya ito nakuha namin ang panalo."
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Trollano added five rebounds and scored seven of his output in the second quarter as he helped engineer a back-breaking 24-0 blast by TnT that erased an early 17-point lead by the Beermen.
He said the Katropa were able to pull off that run by not losing their concentration even after San Miguel stormed ahead, 36-19.
"Ang nasa isip lang namin is to stay focus, stay composed. Kaya naman naming habulin, kumbaga matagal pa naman yung game," said Trollano.
The guard out of Adamson had been entrusted in the starting lineup of the Katropa with the injury suffered by Ryan Reyes and David Semerad, giving him the chance to step up his game.
But all of these wouldn't be possible without the trust being given him by the TnT coaching staff, and yes, even import Terrence Jones.
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"Siguro nakikita niya (Jones) lang ako na open and siguro nag-tiwala na rin siya sa akin," he said of their prolific import.
"Maganda yung nilalaro ko ngayon. Kumpiyansa lang. Yung mga coaches kapag open tira, kahit mag-mintis, it's ok. And then play defense." (RG)
