PBA: Don Trollano unleashes 44 NLEX as torches Terrafirma

NLEX Road Warriors’ Don Trollano. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Don Trollano led a record-setting afternoon for NLEX after thrashing Terrafirma, 142-125, on Thursday to boost its chances of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Trollano’s 44 points, which equaled the most points scored by a local this season, were highlighted by nine straight threes that broke the previous mark of eight held by Allan Caidic, Renren Ritualo and Von Pessumal.

He also accounted for almost half of the Road Warriors’ 23 threes that tied the mark for most in a game shared by TNT in 2008 and 2009 and San Miguel Beer in 2018.

WATCH: Don Trollano was greeted by Magnolia players after scoring 44 points in NLEX’s 142-125 win over Terrafirma.

“Don, di mo pa siningkwenta?!” one Magnolia player tells Trollano. | @jonasterradoINQ pic.twitter.com/n2MkWegJdb

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 2, 2023

It was a fitting present for coach Frankie Lim, whose birthday came 63 years ago on Feb. 29, 1960. NLEX improved to 7-3 with San Miguel as its final elimination round opponent on March 15 at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

“What matters most is the win. I think the records or the scores [just came in],” said Lim as NLEX moved one victory from assuring itself of getting the quarterfinal incentive given to the top four teams at the end of the eliminations.

Import Wayne Selden had 38 points, rookie Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 19 points and 12 rebounds while Kevin Alas added 15 for NLEX.

But the star of stars was Trollano, whose output tied the season mark produced by NorthPort’s Robert Bolick in an overtime win over Meralco in the Commissioner’s Cup. He started off making 16 of 19 attempts before ending with a 17-of-23 clip.

His scoring barrage in the third which saw Trollano hit 24 allowed NLEX to take full control of the match and handed Terrafirma a fifth straight defeat.

Juami Tiongson scored 38 points for the Dyip, who fell to 2-7.

The scores:

NLEX 142 — Trollano 44, Selden Jr. 38, Ganuelas-Rosser 19, Alas 15, Paniamogan 6, Nieto 5, Rosales 4, Pascual 4, Miranda 3, Doliguez 2, Semerad 2, Gabo 0, Ighalo 0.

TERRAFIRMA 125 — Tiongson 38, J.Williams 29, Cahilig 17, Gabayni 13, Ramos 5, Cabagnot 5, Calvo 4, Camson 4, Gomez de Liano 3, Daquioag 3, Alolino 2, Ferrer 2, Mina 0.

Quarters: 31-27, 66-49, 110-87, 142-125.