Jiovani Jalalon was taught a tough lesson on Christmas day
During his collegiate days, Gilas cadet Jio Jalalon was considered as the top floor general in the collegiate game. Even if he stood just 5-foot-9, he commanded double or, even, triple teams game-in and game-out. He is a flat out scorer, a tenacious rebounder, and an absolute leader rolled into one.
However, the pro game is a whole other story.
The Cagayan de Oro-native made it look that his transition to the PBA was a breeze, averaging 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.6 steals entering his first-ever Manila Clasico. His Clasico debut though turned out to be forgettable.
Right from the second he stepped into the court with 4:24 left in the opening frame, the 24-year-old immediately committed a foul on LA Tenorio. And he never got going.
“Gigil ako e. Hindi ako ready sa pagpasok ko, nanggigil ako bigla.
“That’s why pagkakuha ko ng first foul gusto ko bumawi kaagad. Yun yung mali ko,” he lamented after Star’s 79-86 loss to Ginebra.
Even Star team captain Marc Pingris noticed that something was off in their rookie’s game.
“Siguro nanggigil din talaga si rookie [Jio Jalalon] pero sabi ni coach, bawi na lang kami,” Pingris remarked about Jalalon.
He never got his flow going in the game as he was hampered by foul trouble all throughout the contest. While still being able to finish the game with six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, Jalalon put up a dud on the score sheet, going 0-for-10 from the field — his first scoreless outing in what he says ever.
“Yes, first time ko ma-zero,” he admitted.
“Sabi sa akin ni coach, ‘ngayon alam mo na.’ Lesson learned talaga ito sa akin na huwag ako maging excited masyado. Yun ang natutunan ko.”
Jalalon plans to use this game as a motivation not only for the rest of the season, but also for the next time he faces good friend Scottie Thompson and Ginebra.
“Parang maganda yun para sa akin. Kapantayan kami e,” the rookie said.
“Ngayon, mapaghahandaan ko na yung mangyayari.”
