In his fifth and final year of duty for National University, J-jay Alejandro has been producing all-around numbers for the Bulldogs. However, even with this, the Bulldogs have been inconsistent at best, needing to win their final two games of the season to give them a shot at the Final Four.
But Alejandro needed a lift to become a better leader for the Bulldogs. And last October 14, he was able to get it.
After the Bulldogs had been embarassed by the UE Red Warriors 77-90, the 22-year-old received a random text on his phone.
“Chineck ko yung phone ko [after that game], nakita ko ‘Jay, Manong to’,” Alejandro shared.
The “Manong” he was referring to was none other than Kiefer Ravena.
Ravena, the second overall pick in this year’s PBA Draft, has played a huge part in mentoring some players still in college right now like UP’s Diego Dario and Ateneo’s Jolo Mendoza.
Having this opportunity, Alejandro made sure to pick the two-time UAAP Most Valuable Player’s mind, asking what he can do to improve his game.
“So every game na hindi ako nakaka-double figures or mababa sa 20 points yung score, lagi akong nakaka-receive ng text kay Kiefer. Nagtatanong ako sa kanya kung ano bang dapat gawin sa certain situations,” the 6-foot combo guard said.
Everything Ravena had taught him showed during the final frame in NU’s stunning comeback against the Far Eastern Univeristy Tamaraws on Wednesday afternoon.
After being limited to just six points in the first three quarters of the game, Alejandro was able to dig deep and find ways against the defense imposed on him by Ron Dennison and the Tamaraws. The NU skipper scored 11 points in the final frame, helping NU rally back from 15 down to keep their season alive.
“Sinasabi ni Manong lang is huwag akong pumayag na matalo uli. Kailangan magsimula sa akin lahat, offensively at defensively,” said Alejandro, who finished the game with 17 points, six rebounds, and nine assists.
Ravena’s tips to Alejandro could not have been better timed, as the Bulldogs direly need him.
