To still be playing in the PBA is more than enough for Jio Jalalon to remain grateful even after seeing his tenure with Magnolia come to an end.
All that matters to the do-it-all floor general now is helping NorthPort in the upcoming Season 49, where he’s expected to assume a bigger role for a youth-laden squad seeking to become a consistent playoff contender.
“I’m still happy kasi nandito pa rin ako sa PBA,” he told reporters during the league’s Media Day at the Le Parc Event Hall in Pasay on Tuesday. “Ibang team lang ‘yung napuntahan ko, NorthPort. Moving forward. I’ve moved on.
“I’m still blessed kasi hindi naman habambuhay, for me, magiistay ka sa isang team. At least, nakakalaro ka pa rin sa PBA,” he added.
Jalalon and Abu Tratter were shipped by the Hotshots to the Batang Pier in exchange for Zavier Lucero in a 2-for-1 deal last July 15. That ended his stay with the franchise that picked him in the special Gilas draft in 2016.
The 32-year-old didn’t hide that he felt saddened by the move, since those eight years saw him achieve the highest of highs in the league.
A member of the 2017 All-Rookie Team and the PBA Press Corps Mr. Quality Minutes awardee in that same year, Jalalon helped Magnolia rule the 2018 Governors’ Cup at the expense of Alaska to end a four-year title drought.
He was also a member of the All-Defensive Team thrice, bannering particularly the 2023 batch as he earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows, though, but the Arellano University product will always cherish the success he tasted with his former team.
“Siyempre nung una, nung nalaman ko na merong trade, siyempre ako, na-sad kasi eight years ako nag-stay sa Magnolia,” Jalalon said.
“Nami-miss ko sina Kuya Mark [Barroca], ‘yung mga nakakausap ko, sina… Of course siyempre, si Coach Chito [Victolero] kasi siya ‘yung since Day One, nung nagpa-draft ako, sila ‘yung kumuha sa’kin,” he added.
But then, Jalalon has moved on, and he feels more than excited to start afresh with NorthPort, whom he joined the day after the trade’s announcement.
He’s gearing up, too, to become more of a leader this time after playing behind established stars like Mark Barroca and Paul Lee in Magnolia, especially with a bevy of youngsters in his new team led by Fran Yu and rookie Evan Nelle.
“Nakita ko nga eh, nung nag-practice ako, na kailangan kong maging leader din dito. Kasi nung nasa Magnolia ako, third-stringer ako sa guards. But now, ako ang ginagawa ni Coach Bonnie [Tan] na starting point guard,” he said.
He’s looking forward as well to becoming part of a team that’s been showing promise, with a lineup being led by star forward Arvin Tolentino and also features Will Navarro and incoming sophomore Cade Flores, to name some.
“Sobrang excited ako kasi siyempre, Arvin, Cade, Munzon… Nakalaban ko na sila. Alam ko kung paano ko sila mabibigyan ng bola. Very excited na ma-ishare ko yung bola sa kanila, kung paano ako magpo-point guard sa kanila,” he said.
