Don Trollano finally gets his turn with Gilas at Asian Games

San Miguel Beermen’s Don Trollano will be one of the veterans for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games 2026. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Eight years after he had to give up his Asian Games spot to Jordan Clarkson, Don Trollano now gets his opportunity to play for Gilas Pilipinas in the continental meet.

Trollano will come into the Aichi-Nagoya edition as one of the elder statesmen of the all-PBA team that aims to defend the gold starting next week.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026: What you need to know

“I’m honored and blessed. Excited at the same time,” the San Miguel Beer deadshot said from Suwon, South Korea during a virtual press conference arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Clarkson’s entry to the Gilas fold during the Jakarta Asian Games forced then-coach Yeng Guiao to make Trollano his last cut, thus denying him a chance to represent the national team for the first time.

The situation also prompted Guiao to call Trollano as “Don Clarkson,” a nickname that he’s sometimes called even today.

“Last time naudlot,” he said. “But this is my first time with Gilas. Last time, I was one of the youngest. Now I’m probably the oldest.”

The 34-year-old will look to provide veteran steadiness, as well as carry his form from the PBA Governors’ Cup in which he’s currently San Miguel’s top local scorer.

His cut from 2018 is far from Trollano’s motivation going into the Asian Games.

“We’re the defending champions, and that’s extra motivation for us to retain the gold,” Trollano said.