NLEX Road Warriors’ Don Trollano. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Don Trollano leaned on a hot shooting start on his way to 29 points as NLEX downed NorthPort, 112-104, Wednesday in its first PBA Commissioner’s Cup since losing Kevin Alas to an ACL injury.
Trollano scored his team’s first nine points and didn’t lose a bit of a step the rest of the way to lead the Road Warriors to their second win in four outings inside Smart Araneta Coliseum.
NLEX played minus Alas, who suffered a third ACL tear, this time on his left knee during Saturday’s loss to Terrafirma at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“I want him to have a good start early, to get his rhythm. Good thing he made his first few shoots, it really helped us a lot,” coach Frankie Lim said of Trollano.
Import Thomas Robinson had 30 points and 18 rebounds for NLEX, but got into a verbal exchange after the game with team governor Erick Arejola and team manager Pido Jarencio.
WATCH: Tensions flare between Northport’s Pido Jarencio and NLEX after the game.
Commissioner Willie Marcial is seen extinguishing the fiery scene. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/vfUbruOV77
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) November 22, 2023
Robinson had earlier exchanged words with the two NorthPort officials in the third quarter before the verbal tussle resumed during the customary postgame shaking of hands at the scorers’ table.
Jarencio was later seen being restrained by cooler heads and PBA commissioner Willie Marcial while continuing to shout at Robinson at the Big Dome hallway.
Import Venky Jois had 20 points and 19 rebounds but NorthPort suffered a second straight defeat after starting the season-opening conference with two consecutive wins.
The scores:
NLEX 112—Robinson 30, Trollano 29, Rosales 15, Anthony 10, Herndon 8, Rodger 7, Semerad 5, Pascual 4, Miranda 2, Marcelo 2, Fajardo 0, Gabo 0.
NORTHPORT 104—Munzon 22, Jois 20, Tolentino 19, Flores 15, Chan 9, Calma 6, Paraiso 5, Salado 3, Ayaay 2, Yu 2, Taha 1, Caperal 0, Amores 0.
Quarters: 37-23, 60-53, 91-77, 112-104.