The NCAA All-Star Game is a celebration of the past and present of the grand old league.
This year, two of the proudest sons of the league made their return, as Arellano’s Jiovani Jalalon and Letran’s Rey Nambatac took part in the Shooting Stars Challenge of the NCAA Season 94 All-Star festivities.
And they would not miss this for the world.
“Sobrang nakaka-miss to, masaya kami kasi ininvite kami dito. Um-oo nga kami agad,” expressed Jalalon, who last played for the Chiefs back in 2016.
“At least, nakabalik kami dito sa San Juan Arena.”
“Same lang sa sinabi ni Jio kasi isang magandang opportunity din to sa amin na makapag-give back kami sa school namin, na ‘pag ininvite kami, talagang tatanggapin at iga-grab namin yan,” added Nambatac, who graduated last year.
“So ayun, nakaka-miss din talaga maglaro sa NCAA kaya ginrab din namin to.”
The All-Star moment that Jalalon could not forget happened back in the 2015 edition of the annual meet.
“Nung nanalo sila, natalo kami. Lamang na kami, natalo pa,” recalled Jalalon, a two-time All-Star, as the East-side fell to the West, 89-88, in overtime.
“‘Yung tira ni Mark Cruz! 2015 yata ‘yun,” quipped Nambtac, a four-time All-Star. “‘Yun ‘yung All Star na maganda talaga yung laban. East saka West pa ‘yun.”
This time around, Jalalon joined senior Kraniel Villoria and junior Marlon Espiritu, while Nambatac had Christian Fajarito and Stacey Tibayan. Though the two could not win it all in the Shooting Stars Challenge, they still had fun reminiscing the good times they had in the NCAA.
“Yung routine namin pag naglalaro kami, fans, staff, and teammates na isa sa dahilan kung bakit kami nasa pro league,” expressed Nambatac, who was drafted 7th overall in the 2017 draft.
“Fans ng school, presscon pag nanalo kami, interview, lahat nakaka-miss. Sobrang nakakamiss talaga,” shared Jalalon, who is now a three-year pro.
