Back in NCAA Season 91 and 92, Arellano’s Cagayan de Oro duo of Jio Jalalon and Kent Salado ran wild on the league.
Together, the dynamic backcourt pairing was able to steer the Chiefs to the Season 92 Finals.
But during their initial run, the Bus Driver and the Conductor made life hell for Scottie Thompson and Perpetual — losing their first round outing 66-76. before taking it back in the second round, 84-77.
Now, Jalalon — who has been in Magnolia for the last four years — will not have Salado at his side when he enters the hardcourt.
It will be Thompson on the side of Salado, as the latter was drafted as the 22nd overall pick by Ginebra during the 2019 PBA Draft.
And Jalalon simply feels delighted that his good pal will have someone whom he trusts off the court guide him.
“Masaya ako para kay Kent,” he said during The Prospects Pod, presented by SMART Sports and supported by Chris Sports.
“Sobrang happy ako kasi diyan siya napunta eh, kasi iga-guide naman ni Scottie yan diyan.”
Jalalon braced Thompson on what to expect from Salado.
Salado is sort of like Jalalon, sans the shooting which he still needs to work on. But Jalalon knows that his fellow Chief will work on it, sharing that he is a workhorse in practices.
“Kahit nagkakalaban kami niyan sa practice, talagang papasahan ko pa rin ‘yan,” Jalalon continued.
This storyline will be one of the things to look out for, since it adds a new dynamic to the Manila Clasico rivalry.
