After tormenting the San Beda Red Lions a season ago, the Arellano University Chiefs could not get the better of the Mendiola cagers this season — dropping all three of their encounters.
The league’s top scorer, Jio Jalalon, who is shooting an efficient clip of 39.8 percent the entire season, has struggled against the lanky San Beda backcourt. The Cagayan de Oro native has shot at a miserable 28 percent clip against the league leaders. Moreover, he is a combined 9-of-40 from the field the last two games – both against San Beda.
The 24-year-old floor general credited coach Jamike Jarin and his system for finding a way to stop him.
“Sobrang talino talaga ni coach Jamike tsaka yung mga player nila, sobrang ready talaga sa depensa,” he said after Arellano dropped to the second seed Tuesday afternoon.
“Handa silang lahat.”
San Beda’s 3-2 zone defense stymied anything Jalalon and Kent Salado did during the 40 minute encounter.
“Tuwing nagda-drive ako, parang tatlo, dalawa yung naghe-help. Iniisip ko rin na kelangan kong i-give up yung bola. Nagi-give up ko minsan, pero wala talaga, sobrang higpit ng depensa nila e kaya kelangan naming mag-adjust sa sona nila,” said the leading candidate for MVP.
However, Jalalon admitted that they themselves have contributed to struggle they are experiencing – playing selfishly in both games and delving away from the game plan.
“Ngayon kasi, parang nagre-rely kami na hindi makinig sa coach,” he shared. “Napunta na siguro sa ulo namin na Final Four na kami pero kelangan pa naming magtrabaho. Back to zero muna kami ngayon.”
Going into the Final Four on a two-game skid, Jalalon is hoping that he and his team regain the winning formula that helped them finish the elimination round with a 14-4 slate.
“Nawala yung first (round) na sobrang teamwork namin. Kelangan naming mag-practice nang maayos para maibalik yun,” he admitted.
