After eight years of service for the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, Jielo Razon is set to move on from the Altas after playing out his final year in the NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament.
Razon’s start to his collegiate career at Perpetual was far from bright. The current captain of the Altas detailed his encounter with the Altas’ former coach that turned sour quickly.
“Negative pero masarap. Pagka-graduate ko nung high school nung pumunta ako sa Perpetual, hindi ko na banggitin yung coach, pero sabi niya sa akin ayaw niya sa akin, sabi niya parang masyadong maliit ako at payat,” explained the 5-foot-11 Razon.
“Naging motivation iyon sa buong career ko.”
Once the aforementioned coach departed from his position, it was current head coach Myk Saguiguit who made sure Razon regained his confidence.
“Kinausap ako ni Daddy Myk na wala na iyon, huwag mo pakinggan iyon, alam ko yung abilidad mo. Pero tumatak sa isip ko iyon hanggang ngayon,” the 24-year-old guard continued.
Under Saguiguit’s wing, Razon became an invaluable piece of Perpetual even until his senior year when Saguiguit appointed him captain of a stacked team filled to the brim with young talent.
With Razon at the helm, the Altas finished Season 99 with a 10-8 record. They had hopes of making at least a playoff for the final four, but a win from San Beda University over Lyceum of the Philippines University ended their dreams.
Despite missing the Final Four, what ended up being Razon’s final game was as poetic as it could have been, as he dropped a career-high 26 points with six threes, along with seven boards and three assists to bury San Sebastian College-Recoletos, 75-60.
With his collegiate career wrapped, Razon shared his bittersweet feelings as he reflected on his Perpetual career.
“Malungkot na masaya… Malungkot kasi last na, at masaya na nakipagsilbi ako sa Perpetual at ginamit ko yung talent ko sa Perpetual pa. Sobrang sarap maglaro sa Perpetual,” said Razon.
As he sets out for greener pastures and hopes for a professional career, Razon bid goodbye to what he called the “best crowd in the NCAA.”
“Best crowd in the NCAA.
“Kulang siguro yung salitang thank you kasi sobra sila, grabe sila sumuporta. Kahit hindi dito sa San Juan, sa school pa lang grabe yang mga Perpetualite. Sana ituloy-tuloy nila hanggang sa mga susunod na season, sa next generation,” he continued.
Despite Razon’s departure, the Altas’ future remains bright. With talented young prospects like Jun Roque, Cyrus Nitura, Mark Omega, and Christian Pagaran, Perpetual will look towards NCAA Season 100 to make some noise and hopefully bid for its first championship in the NCAA.
