MANILA — Celedonio Trollano delivered a spectacular endgame performance, sinking clutch baskets that powered the San Miguel Beermen to a nail-biting 94–92 victory over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
With the Beermen down 80–86 late in the fourth quarter, Trollano ignited the comeback with a three-point play and a rare four-point shot that turned the tide, giving San Miguel a 91–88 edge in the closing minutes.
Juan Miguel Tiongson and Jaymar Perez chipped in crucial points, while June Mar Fajardo split his free throws to stretch the lead to 94–88 before Magnolia rookie Chris Koon drilled a four-pointer to make it 94–92.
Perez then missed two free throws, giving the Hotshots a chance to steal the game, but Jerom Lastimosa’s desperation four-point attempt at the buzzer fell short.
“We just stuck to the plan and trusted each other,” Trollano said after leading all scorers with 29 points. “Even when we were down, we knew we had the experience to close it out.”
Perez followed with 20 points, while Fajardo and Tiongson contributed 18 and 10 markers, respectively, as the defending champions improved to 4–2.
Zavier Lucero led Magnolia with 20 points, Jerom Lastimosa had 17, and Koon and Ian Sangalang added 16 and 15, respectively, as the Hotshots dropped to an identical 4–2 record.
In the earlier game, TNT Tropang 5G overcame a 16-point deficit to stun the Terrafirma Dyip, 109–95, in overtime.
Veteran forward Kelly Williams turned back the clock with eight three-pointers en route to a season-high 28 points and 11 rebounds, steering TNT to its fifth win in six outings. Roger Pogoy added 21 points, while Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac chipped in 15 and 14.
Terrafirma’s Jerrick Ahanmisi tallied 26 points, followed by Brent Paraiso with 13 and Aljon Mariano and Mark Sangalang with 10 apiece as the Dyip slumped to 1–5./PN
