The struggles of Dioncee Holts this season have been well-documented. Tuesday afternoon, though, right on Jio Jalalon’s 23rd birthday, the 24-year-old American student-athlete might just turn the fortunes of the Chiefs around.
Despite facing a tough match-up against Cameroonian student-athlete Mike Nzeusseu, Holts posted season-highs of 20 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks in the win. More importantly, he and the Arellano University Chiefs were able to take home win number six to tie with the Perpetual Altas at the second spot in the standings.
“Pinag-usapan namin ni Holts na kelangan siya sa team. Kaya sobrang saya ko na ako na rin nagdala sa kanya pabalik,” Jio Jalalon said about Holts’ breakout game this season.
“Sabi ko, ‘Hey bro! Dioncee Holts is back!’”
Holts, who has played with Jalalon for the last three years, has taken the responsibility of being the team’s glue guy.
“I always tell my teammates that Jiovani is our main guy,” the stretch big man said. “He’s going to lead us.”
“My job out there is to make everyone else follow.”
On Jalalon’s special day, Holts showed the Cagayan de Oro native his appreciation for everything that Jalalon has done for him.
“You could look at it that way. I kind of promised him [that] before the game,” he narrated.
“Everyday before the game he always keeps me motivated. When I have a bad game, I always feel like I’m letting my team and the community down.
“Today, I just promised from here on out that I will try keep it at this level or better,” he furthered.
Upon hearing this, the 23-year-old floor general narrated the short talk he had with the big man.
“Yes, sabi ko, ‘Thank you, bro!’ Sabi naman niya, ‘No problem, man!,’” Jalalon gushed.
