From being the last man out in the Asian Games six years ago in Jakarta, San Miguel Beer gunner Don Trollano will have another chance to represent the country in the Asian Games.
The all-PBA players national squad faces the big task of defending the Philippines’ men’s basketball title starting next week in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan..
“(The) Last time, it didn’t push through,” Trollano told media men in an online press conference set up by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas last Thursday.
“But this is my first time with Gilas. Last time, I was one of the youngest. Now I’m probably the oldest.”
The Japan-bound national team is described by Cone as “small but fast” and “fun to watch.”
It’s a team that’s completely different from the other Gilas Pilipinas squads that’s littered with size and international experience due to the presence of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, June Mar Fajardo, Dwight Ramos, Scottie Thompson and Chris Newsome.
That is the core of the Philippine team that recently scored a two-game sweep of its home games in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers, beating West Asian powerhouse squads Jordan and Iran.
In the Asian Games, Cone has brought a new squad, with only Converge big men Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar and Ginebra guard RJ Abarrientos as holdovers from the previous roster.
“I’m honored and blessed. Excited at the same time,” said the 34-year-old former Adamson guard, who is now wiser, and has developed into one of the Beermen’s most reliable scorers the last two seasons under coach Leo Austria.
While Trollano was only at the back of the bench when the Philippine team under coach Yeng Guiao finished fifth in the Jakarta Asian Games, Trollano said the challenge of defending the country’s basketball crown is what motivates him in his Gilas Pilipinas stint this time.
“We’re the defending champions, and that’s extra motivation for us to retain the gold,” Trollano said.
The Philippine team will also be backstopped by Robert Bolick, Adrian Nocum and Sedrick Barefield.
The Philippines begins its Asian Games title defense on Sept. 11 against Bahrain, followed by Kazakhstan on Sept. 12 and a keenly-awaited collision with long-time Asian champion China on Sept. 14.
