After an epic overtime win against the Perpetual Altas, SEA Games gold medalist and Smart Elite ambassador Jio Jalalon of the Arellano University Chiefs has been bestowed with the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honors.
Jalalon tallied his second triple-double of the season with 32 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds as Arellano outlasted University of Perpetual Help System Dalta in overtime, 84-77 last Friday. Moreover, the game saw two cagers notch triple-doubles for the first time in Philippine collegiate history as friend and fellow Smart Elite ambassador Scottie Thompson notching a triple-double as well. The Legarda-based cagers moved one and a half games ahead of its closest pursuers Jose Rizal University and the Mapua Institute of Techonology in the semifinals race.
It was the second time that the Chiefs has gone through an overtime session, but this time around they ended up triumphant to soothe the pain of a painful 112-114 double overtime loss to the Bombers last week. “Si Jio alam niya kung kelan siya magtatakeover. Pinapasahan din niya mga kakampi niya kaya malaki kumpiyansa ko sa kanya,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codinera about his floor general.
Earlier in the week, Jalalon had 20 points, nine assists and six boards in Arellano’s 86-82 win over College of Saint Benilde. The Cagayan de Oro-native averaged 26 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds in those twin victories.
Jio Jalalon beat out the following players to cop the Player of the Week crown:
Art dela Cruz (San Beda College Red Lions)
Statline: 26 points, 15 boards, and 10 assists (Win over JRU)
Mark Cruz (Colegio de San Juan de Letran Knights)
Statline: 26 points (8 three-pointers), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists (Win over LPU)
