Trollano sizzles as NLEX boosts Top 4 bid with record-tying shooting vs Terrafirma

Don Trollano sizzled witha a career-high showing as NLEX boosted its bid for a top 4 finish in the elimination with a 142-125 romp of Terrafirma in the 2023 PBA Governor’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, March 2.

Trollano caught fire in third quarter, exploding for 24 of his 44 points as the Road Warriors notched plenty of firsts in the masterful performance against the Dyip that also improved their record to a 7-3 record, good for a solo third in the standings.

Trollano’s scintillating performance saw him bury a career-high and franchise-record nine triples – a feat he completed in consecutive fashion which also allowed him to set a new all-time record for most consecutive triples made.

His scoring performance was also a conference-high for any local in the season-ending tiff, equaled the season-high scoring previously set by Robert Bolick in the Commissioner’s Cup and an all-time best scoring for any local in Road Warriors franchise.

As a team, the Road Warriors also waxed hot from the distance by tying the league record for most three-point shots made with 23 treys. It was also NLEX’s franchise record, surpassing the previous 21 triples made and league’s season-high, beating Bay Area’s 22 last conference.

Wayne Selden Jr. pumped in 38 points while Brandon Ganuelas Rosser and Kevin Alas added 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Despite the historic scoring feats, head coach Frankie Lim said what’s important right now is for the team to take the win and strengthen their hold of one of the coveted top four seats which will merit a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.

“What matters most is the win. I think the records and the scores will just come in but most important yung win namin tonight. In my pre-game, I told them that it’s a must win for us. We cannot take Terrafirma lightly and we need this win in order to maintain our stand in the top 4,” said Lim.

A 22-7 blast towards the end of the first half set the tone for NLEX’s romp, pulling away from a tight 44-42 lead to a 66-49 cushion.

The Road Warriors kept their feet in the gas pedal as Trollano sparked a 44-point third-quarter explosion for NLEX, further padding the lead, 110-87, heading into the final frame.

Juami Tiongson paced the Dyip with 38 points while import Jordan Williams fired 29 points, but couldn’t get much any help from the rest of the team.

They also struggled to put the clamps on the defensive end as NLEX shot a whopping 61 percent from the field including a 58 percent clip from the three-point territory.