Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Don Trollano will be playing in the 2018 Asian Games after all.
Trollano, who gave way to Jordan Clarkson, was inserted back into the final 12-man lineup after the NBA did not allow Clarkson to suit up for the Philippine men’s basketball team in the Asiad.
“He (Trollano) is in the final lineup,” national team head coach Yeng Guiao told INQUIRER.net Monday night.
The 26-year-old Trollano, who joined the team’s flight to Indonesia on Sunday night, said he stayed prepared knowing he’s on standby.
“I’m ready. Coach told me to be ready in case Clarkson won’t be playing,” Trollano said in Filipino on Saturday after the Nationals edged TNT in a tuneup game at Moro Lorenzo Sports Center.
“I don’t find the situation hard. Honestly, it would’ve been better had Clarkson was allowed to play because that gives us a better chance of winning having an NBA player.”
The TNT swingman will be teaming up again with his former Rain or Shine teammates in Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood, Chris Tiu, Maverick Ahanmisi, James Yap, Raymond Almazan and Paul Lee, who is now with Magnolia.
Also part of the roster are Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, Asi Taulava and JP Erram.
The Philippines opens its campaign against Kazakhstan on Thursday before taking on China on Aug. 21.