More often than not, when a resident of Antipolo introduces himself as ‘Jestoni,’ it is easy to assume that he is the famous actor Jestoni Alarcon, who has starred in several action and drama movies.
Yet, just three games into National University Nazareth School’s title defense, another Antipolo native named Jestoni has stepped into a central role for the Bullpups in the UAAP Season 89 Boys’ 16-and-Under Basketball Tournament.
Jestoni ‘Jesse’ Arellano has led the way for the defending champions with all-action performances, quickly filling the void left by reigning Best Foreign Student-Athlete Moussa Diakite.
Against the University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, and De La Salle Zobel, the newcomer from Antipolo has averaged 21.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 5.0 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.
While lightheartedly joking about the origin of Arellano’s name — “Kapitbahay niya si Jestoni Alarcon sa Antipolo kaya siguro Jestoni Alarcon ang pinangalan ng nanay nito” — NUNS head coach Leo Pujante turned serious when asked about his rookie’s immediate impact.
Arellano’s recent performances even prompted Pujante to compare him with the Malian standout who spearheaded the Bullpups’ 16-0 sweep last season.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Siyempre iba last year, we had Moussa Diakite. This year we have to prove na hindi kami nag-champion dahil kay Moussa,” said Pujante after the Bullpups defeated the Junior Archers, 92-88, last Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“The way he plays — tatlong laro na — ’yan ang mga stats ni Moussa last year, di ba?”
For his part, Arellano has promised to simply continue working hard for his team.
He understands that his career is still in its infancy and that he has plenty to learn and experience, including the need to ensure that he and his teammates play consistent basketball for all 40 minutes, especially after they blew a 46-21 cushion against the Junior Archers last Sunday.
Emphasizing the importance of training well and working hard during actual games, Arellano said he embraces the challenge and is learning not just to cope with it, but to thrive in it.
“May pressure po talaga. Bawat game, kailangang tanggalin ang kaba bago maglaro,” he said.
“Mag-go-hard lagi kaming lahat tapos kahit di man kalakasan ang kalaban namin, kailangang respetuhin kagaya nung sinabi ni coach.”
