Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon has been dubbed as the best point guard in college right now by numerous coaches. Last Friday, former youth team head coach and current National University Eric Altamirano shared the same praise for the All-Philippine talent.
The Cagayan de Oro-native scored six points in a game-breaking 8-2 rally that turned an 84-81 lead to a nine-point margin with a minute to go in the game. Moreover, third year National University student and incoming UAAP rookie Chino Mosqueda blanketed the All-Philippine point guard in two of those possessions but the 22 year old guard displayed great composure and creativity to get off his shot.
Jalalon finished the game with 34 points, three rebounds, and six assists and, more importantly, help lead the school to its first FilOil Flying V Premier Cup finals appearance. And no one was more impressed in Jalalon’s output than Coach E himself.
“He’s really ripe for the pros with he way he played today,” Altamirano admitted. “Chino is one of our best stoppers and pinaglaruan niya lang. He knows what to do, he’s very mature.”
“He’ll be a player that will be hard to stop this coming NCAA and he’ll be good for the national team as well.”
After hearing the praise from the former youth team head coach, Jalalon stayed true and humble in saying, “Basta kung may laro, nag-eenjoy lang ako. Pinapakita ko lang yung best ko,” the Gilas Cadet shared.
The 22 year old though deflected the credit to all his teammates for staying with him throughout the ups and downs of his journey. “Hindi ko iniisip na ako yung best. Gusto ko lang magsamasama kami ng teammates ko na umabot sa Final Four [NCAA],” he said. “Ayoko naman na sarili ko lang isipin ko. Pagdumating na lang sa akin yun dun ko lang matatanggap.”
The Arellano Chiefs will face the De La Salle University Green Archers on Sunday, June 12 at 4:00pm.
