Don Trollano hit the game-winning jumper with 1.9 seconds left as NLEX frustrated defending champion TNT by a hairline, 90-89, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday, June 16.
Down by one, 89-88, with eight ticks left on the clock, Trollano created enough space off the dribble and nailed the huge elbow jumper over the outstretched arms of Glenn Khobuntin to lift the Road Warriors to their second win in the season.
Kevin Alas also came up huge as he fired 11 of his 16 points total in the payoff period to keep the Road Warriors within striking distance after trailing by as much as eight points early in the final frame. He also had seven rebounds and six assists.
Trollano only finished with 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the field but hit the shot that mattered the most while Calvin Oftana unloaded a team-high 20 markers.
“We expected naman na mahirap ang laban sa TNT, defending champions sila, isa pang nagpahirap sa amin sa preparation, we know that we are well scouted kasi nandun na si coach Jolas and alam ko na alam niya yung system namin inside out,” said coach Yeng Guiao after the game.
“Mahirap kalaban yung TNT, kasi basically yung tradition nila, yung culture nila, yung mga old reliables, di mo maalis sa kanila yung crunch time, the can take over, si Jayson and si RR,” he added.
NLEX’s victory spoiled the party for RR Pogoy who celebrated his birthday with a huge 28-point output built on four triples.
TNT looked poised to take the victory after keeping NLEX at bay for the majority of the game, even taking a six point cushion, 86-80, with less than five minutes left in the game.
Quinahan then nailed a triple to which TNT answered with a Pogoy free throw. Alas then unleashed consecutive points, first on a high-looping layup before drilling three straight free throws to give the Road Warriors the lead, 87-86.
Troy Rosario, however, scored on a put back off a Castro miss to put the Tropang Giga back to the driver's seat, setting up the cardiac finish in the next possession for the Road Warriors.