Jio Jalalon suffered a bad, bad fall during the Arellano University Chiefs’ game against the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Golden Stags, Tuesday afternoon.
It was just one of many bumps the daredevil “Bus Driver” has taken this season. He has been cut, stepped on, and dropped all throughout the season, but this fall was arguably one of the hardest he has taken.
Jalalon suffered a nasty cut during Arellano’s tilt against CSB during the Premier Cup
With 1:41 left in the third canto, the Cagayan de Oro native squared up Jayson David from fullcourt eventually pick-pocketing the Pampanga native. Just as Jalalon was about to make a breakaway layup, David challenged the Chief with all his might.
“Pag steal ko at pag-lay up na out of balance ako at natapakan pa paa ko,” Jalalon, who made the layup, narrated.
The 23-year-old was not able to break his fall, with the back of his head bouncing off the metal railing of the sidelines. The resounding thud coming from the fall echoed through the arena.
“Sobrang sakit yung buong ulo ko.”
The silence was deafening from the Arellano side as Jalalon crumpled in pain. He was then taken to the sidelines for treatment.
“Freak accident pero matigas naman ulo ni Jiovani,” quipped Arellano head coach Jerry Codinera, who had been a bruiser back in his playing days.
“Okay ako, gusto na nga bumalik,” Jalalon told Tiebreaker Times while he was on the sidelines during the break.
The Gilas Cadet eventually returned to the game, one minute and 29 seconds into the final frame. He had to come back, he said.
“Hindi ko na inisip [yung sakit], inisip ko na lang yung laro,” admitted Jalalon, who finished the game with his season-high 33 points – adding seven points to his tally in the final frame – and more importantly a win. “Naghahabol din kami ng panalo kaya yun, sabi ko nung nag-tanong sa akin si coach, ‘okay na ako.'”
“Yung score bumababa na rin kaya kelangan talagang pumasok sa court at tulungan yung team.”
Known as one of the most unselfish players both on and off the court, Jalalon did not think about his personal welfare for the sake of his team and the Arellano community.
The floor general, though, is having second thoughts on whether he will have himself seen by the doctors for concussion tests.
“Siguro,” he sheepishly concurred.
