Jiovani Jalalon has been the lifeblood of the Arellano University Chiefs for the past two seasons. However, even when feeling the effects of the basketball circuit’s gruelling grind, he has no other choice but to just play it out.
After being eliminated by the Mapua Cardinals in a win-or-go-home game last October, Jalalon immediately suited up for PBA D-League team Caida Tiles. The Tile Masters made it to the semifinals of the 2016 Aspirants Cup last March, but were eliminated by eventual champions Phoenix.
The summer of 2016 continued the grind for the 23-year-old floor general.
The Arellano Chiefs entered almost all the pre-season tournaments that were available for them to join in, including invitationals outside of Manila.
In addition, the Cagayan de Oro native was part of the Gilas Cadets squad that won gold in the SEABA tournament last May.
Many questioned why Jalalon had joined all these tournaments but he continues to shrug these off.
Thursday afternoon might have been the first time the High Chief admitted that he felt tired and weary. Jalalon played all but three minutes in Arellano’s loss to Letran.
All throughout the game, the Letran Knights, showcasing the House of Chaos system that had catapulted them to the top of the collegiate basketball world last season, hounded Jalalon.
“Ang galing ng depensa nila ngayon,” Jalalon said. “Hindi ako maka-create ng maayos. Pag da-drive ako, may help D agad. Kaya kini-kickout ko na lang talaga.”
Moreover, with five minutes remaining in the game and with the score knotted at 69-all, Jalalon was asking for a brief breather.
“Nung huli, na-feel ko na ‘yung pressure, pagod,” he reflected.
The circumstances, however, did not allow it, as the Knights had been in the midst of a game-breaking 14-4 rally.
“Mali rin siguro ng mga coaches na hindi nila ako nilabas. Humihingi na ako ng kapalit nung fourth kaso sabi ni Salado, ‘Huwag na. Baka lalo tayong matambakan.’”
“Kaya pinipilit ko na talaga ang sarili ko,” he narrated.
Just three games into the season, Jalalon has no other choice but to continue pushing, as this might be his last chance to win that elusive NCAA crown.
