Camille Naredo

Gilas Pilipinas guard Don Trollano. Photo courtesy of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1788520130575viber_image_2026-09-04_17-50-33-775.jpg" style="width: 960px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Gilas Pilipinas guard Don Trollano. Photo courtesy of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas">Gilas Pilipinas guard Don Trollano. Photo courtesy of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas</div>MANILA &ndash; Don Trollano is finally suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas, eight years since he made a sacrifice for the national men&#39;s basketball team.&nbsp;Ahead of the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang, Indonesia, Trollano became the final cut in the Yeng Guiao-led team to make way for NBA star Jordan Clarkson.&nbsp;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/15/18/asian-games-after-losing-roster-spot-again-don-trollano-ready-to-go-home">FROM 2018: After losing roster spot again, Don Trollano ready to go home</a></div>Eight years later, Trollano gets his chance not as the player who made way for the NBA champion, but as the veteran earning his place in Gilas.&nbsp;The 34-year-old has been called up for the national team for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan this month. &nbsp;&quot;Well [I&#39;m] honored and blessed and excited at the same time. Kasi nga, first time. Last time kasi naudlot eh. So, this is my first time. And last time, ako yung pinakabata. Now ako yata yung pinakamatanda sa group na ito. So, honored and blessed,&quot; he said at an online press conference on Thursday. &nbsp;Now that he will make his Gilas debut in the continental showcase, Trollano looks to translate his performance in the PBA as the leading local scorer for the San Miguel Beermen.&nbsp;&quot;Staying ready lang. Di ko rin naman alam kung ano mangyayari. So for me, yun nga staying ready lang ako. Kumpiyansa lang siguro, yun lang kasi this is my first time playing international,&quot; he shared.&nbsp;Being one of the more veteran players on the team, Trollano is embracing the role of being the leader and &#39;kuya&#39; of the all-PBA Gilas squad.&nbsp;<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/9/3/gilas-gearing-up-to-compete-with-11-players-all-filipino-team-in-asiad-1713">READ: Gilas gearing up to compete with 11 players, all-Filipino team in Asiad</a></div>&quot;Siguro i-eembrace ko na yung pagiging kuya kasi tinatawag nila akong kuya. So yeah, yun nga ako yung pinakamatanda so kailangan ko i-embrace yung role na yun bilang leader and role na yun,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&quot;Yung pagiging leader. Yun nga, to remind the guys. Yun na yung pinaka-role ko kasi matanda na ako... Leader [role] and to remind the guys kung ano yung gagawin,&quot; the four-time PBA champion said.&nbsp;When asked if being cut from the 2018 Gilas squad is part of his motivation in this edition, Trollano said he&#39;s eager to help the team and contribute in defending the Asiad gold. &nbsp;&quot;Yeah of course. Lahat naman kami. Tayo yung defending champion. I think that&#39;s extra motivation to defend the crown,&quot; the 34-year-old said.&nbsp;&quot;Last Asian Games &#39;di ba may Jordan Clarkson? But dito sa team na ito, we play as a group, as a team. I don&#39;t think walang masyadong big difference sa talent, when it comes to camaraderie kasi kilala naman namin isa&#39;t isa,&quot; he added.&nbsp;Trollano and the Gilas squad are in South Korea for two friendly games with the national team before they fly to Japan for the Asian Games.&nbsp;Gilas will open its Asiad campaign and title defense against Bahrain on September 11.&nbsp;

Don Trollano is finally suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas, eight years since he made a sacrifice for the national men's basketball team.

Don Trollano is finally suiting up for Gilas Pilipinas, eight years since he made a sacrifice for the national men's basketball team.

Don Trollano relishes chance to suit up for Gilas in Asiad, takes on 'kuya' role in team

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Don Trollano relishes chance to suit up for Gilas in Asiad, takes on 'kuya' role in team

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 04, 2026 07:22 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

Gilas Pilipinas

Asian Games

Don Trollano

San Miguel Beermen

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