Arellano University’s Jio Jalalon put himself in prime position to snatch the MVP award from reigning NCAA Most Valuable Player Allwell Oraeme of the Mapua Institute of Technology after zooming to the top following a pair of impressive performances.
After two games, the Cagayan de Oro-native leads the league in scoring, assists, and steals with norms of 28 points, seven assists, and five steals on top of six rebounds and just 2.5 turnovers a game.
Jalalon’s efficiency is also at a personal high, shooting 50 percent from the field and 80 percent from the free throw line, helping the Chiefs stay unbeaten and at the helm alongside the Cardinals and the San Beda Red Lions to boost their title bid.
It was all Jalalon needed to nail the season’s very first ACCEL Quantum Plus-3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week award.
“He’s our MVP,” Chiefs coach Jerry Codinera said about his floor general. “We just follow his lead.”
Oraeme, for his part, was not far behind with norms of 20.5 points (third-best), 19.5 boards (first), and three blocks (second).
Emilio Aguinaldo’s Hamadou Laminou has also stepped up big and averaged 19.5 points (fifth), 15.5 rebounds (second), and 3.5 blocks (first) to help his team stay in the upper half of the standings with a 1-1 (win-loss) record.
