Jordan Clarkson has finally been allowed to play for the Philippines after a tense negotiation between the Philippines and the National Basketball Association.
But some fans are curious about the fate of Clarkson’s supposed replacement, The TNTt Ka Tropa’s Don Trollano.
‘Let Don Play’
The NBA announced that it was allowing the 6’5 guard of Filipino parents to play in the coming 2018 Asian Games, in light of similar exceptions granted to China’s Zhou Qi and Ding Yanyuhang, who play for the Houston Rockets and Dallas Mavericks respectively.
Philippine sports officials criticized the NBA’s earlier decision to bar Clarkson from suiting up for the Philippines, citing an agreement with FIBA.
But some have begun to ask about the fate of Trollano, who once held the spot that has now been given to the Cavaliers guard.
Trollano was part of the original 14-man pool announced for the Asiad, but was replaced by Clarkson in the final lineup announced head coach Yeng Guiao.
“Okay lang ako dun, ang galing galing nun e. Anong laban ko dun? No hard feelings,” Trollano reportedly said after the final lineup was announced.
But things took another turn when the NBA barred Clarkson from playing for the Philippines. He was asked to take Clarkson’s spot after the initial decision.
With Clarkson back in, some basketball fans believe the TNT slasher still deserves a chance to suit up even after all the chaos.
Trollano was drafted 15th overall by the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2015 Philippine Basketball Association draft. He played for the Adamson University Soaring Falcons in his collegiate career.
He was part of the nucleus of the Rain or Shine squad that flourished under the tutelage of head coach Guiao, before the latter moved to the NLEX Road Warriors.
Trollano was recently traded to TNT for big man Norbert Torres.