Mentally, Jason Melano was nowhere near ready heading to San Juan-Go for Gold AICC’s crucial match against Muntinlupa, Friday night.
With typhoon Odette ravaging down south, the Tabuelan, Cebu native was up all night waiting for updates from his family.
Unfortunately, though, he hasn’t been in contact with them since 4:00 PM yesterday due to the widespread power outage in the city.
Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia has placed the province under a state of calamity today, hours after the typhoon departed Central Visayas.
“Medyo pagod talaga ako ngayon kasi wala akong tulog kasi yung family ko nasa Cebu nag aalala ako, hinihintay ko yung mga messages nila pero wala talaga,” shared Melano.
“Wala ako sa wisyo kasi iniisip ko yung family ko.
“Di ako nakatulog kagabi, inaantay ko yung mga message nila. Yung mga kapatid ko nandun kasi doon sila nag evacuate sa amin kasi malapit sila sa dagat, tapos tatlo yung anak ko mga maliliit pa yun ang inaalala ko e, tapos buntis pa yung misis ko,” he added.
It was a heartbreaking situation for the 6-foot-3 forward.
But still, he soldiered on.
Playing with his family in his heart, Melano put up his best game in the Chooks-to-Go Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Invitational.
He put up 13 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, a steal, and a block to help the Knights clinch a quarterfinals seat against the Cagers, 71-67, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The former Batangas bruiser also delivered the clutch basket down the stretch which gave San Juan a slim 69-67 lead with 1:07 left in the match.
“Natutunan ko kasi sa coach ko dati na kapag may problema ka, your own problem, ‘pag may laro isantabi mo muna at focus ka muna sa game yun ang ginagawa ko,” bared the product of St. Francis of Assisi.
San Juan assistant coach Ernani Epondulan, who just learned Melano’s situation during the post-match interview, vowed that the team will provide everything he needs in this trying time.
“Actually hindi kami nainform na mga coaches regarding sa situation ni Jason ngayon ko lang din narinig so after nito sasabihin ko kila coach Randy [Alcantara] yung pinagdadaanan ni Jason,” said Epondulan, who spoke in behalf of coach Randy Alcantara in the presser.
“We’re so glad na yung professionalism ni Jason nandoon. Again, kung ano siguro yung maitutulong namin pag uusapan na lang namin later.”
