SCHEDULE: PBA Finals San Miguel vs Meralco
San Miguel Beermen’s Don Trollano and Jericho Cruz during a PBA game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Last conference in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, San Miguel’s Jericho Cruz revealed there’s a certain theme in the Beermen’s bench en route to the import-laden championship run.
This time in the Philippine Cup Finals, Don Trollano knows the same thing will continue as the franchise guns for its 30th PBA championship.
The “Martilyo Gang” is well and alive and the Bolts will have quite the problem trying to figure out the “Death 15’s” sub-group.
READ: PBA Finals: San Miguel’s ‘Martilyo Gang’ shows worth in Game 2
“We’re like the second group that runs right away because when we sub in, the competition has to be up until the first group comes back,” said Trollano in Filipino with Inquirer Sports. “Actually, all of us can take over.”
Trollano, as usual, has been key for San Miguel to gain momentum in the all-Filipino playoffs.
He’s also one of the main embodiments of the “Martilyo Gang” in Game 3 of the semifinals when starting star center June Mar Fajardo struggled from the field.
READ; PBA: Don Trollano steps up for San Miguel as June Mar Fajardo struggles
When one of the Beermen’s first five found himself in a cold slump, Trollano heated up at the right time and finished with a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds to give San Miguel a 3-0 lead, 117-107.
READ: PBA: Don Trollano steps up for San Miguel as June Mar Fajardo struggles
However, Trollano understands that their semis clash with Rain or Shine where they won bt sweep will be pretty different compared to their upcoming best-of-seven series with Finals dance partner, Meralco.
“In that last series, they were doubling June Mar a lot so I was getting left open and whenever I’m open, coach Jorge (Gallent) always says to shoot the ball,” explained the former Elasto Painter.
“I think it’ll be tougher against Meralco because their bigs are taller than Rain or Shine’s. My outside game will be crucial in this series,” added Trollano.
The sharpshooter also acknowledged that their “Death 15” and “Martilyo Gang” have advantages over the Meralco bench that doesn’t have one of its primary guards in Aaron Black.
Despite that, though, Trollano believes that the Bolts will still be formidable in the season-ending series.
“I think, even though they don’t have AB, they’re still a really, really good team. They made the Finals without him so they’re still good. We just have a bit of an advantage in terms of our bench but it’s just a little bit.”