PAGADIAN, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR—Jan Jamon suffered an ankle injury in Zamboanga Sibugay’s game last December 4 in the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas VisMin Super Cup Mindanao Challenge.
And it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
This as Jamon propelled the Anak Mindanao Warriors to the semifinals after a 68-60 victory over Roxas in the quarters at the Pagadian City Gymnasium here, Saturday.
The Sibugay captain erupted for 24 points built on six triples to go along with five rebounds, and a block.
“Nakarami ako ng shooting noong na-injure ako. Habang sila nag-eensayo, ako nandito lang puro extra shots,” said Jamon.
“Naging blessing in disguise din ‘yung nangyari tapos nakapagpahinga rin ako ng ilang days.“
More importantly, he buried the shots when his squad needed it the most.
The Vanguards established an eight-point margin early in the fourth period, then came Jamon.
He drained two three-pointers from the right-wing to lead the Warriors to a 14-5 blast to take the lead 61-60 with 1:51 to go.
Then Jamon put the icing with back-to-back daggers in the form of a booming left-wing triple and a fadeaway jumper over Cyrus Tabi with 22 ticks left, 66-60.
“We were down pero nahabol naman namin group effort talaga. Siguro ako nakuha ko lang ‘yung rhythm ko noong huli,” said the proud son of Siniloan, Laguna.
“Thankful ako kay Coach Arnold kasi galing nga ako sa ankle injury kahapon lang ako nakabalik ulit after five days off pero naniwala pa rin siya sa akin.”
Despite the big-time performance of Jamon though, he admitted he is still not 100 percent.
But it’s winning time in the playoffs so expect him to continue playing his heart out when they face top seed Globalport-MisOr in the semifinals on Monday, 4 pm.
“Medyo masakit pa rin minsan ‘yung ankle ko. Hindi pa rin ako masyado 100 percent,” said Jamon.
“Katulad ng mindset namin against Roxas, patayan na wala ng bukas kasi knockout game na yun laban sa MisOr.”
