Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo by PBA Images

Basketball

Victolero relieved as Jalalon finally breaks out of slump


Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero was delighted to see Jio Jalalon finally play his best game so far in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup.

Quiet for most of the conference, the fifth-year point guard made his presence felt in the Hotshots’ 96-86 semis-clinching win over Rain or Shine in Game Two of their best-of-three quarterfinal series, Thursday evening.

The 28-year-old came off the bench and produced a season-high 16 points on 42-percent shooting. He also had six assists, three rebounds, and two assists.

“I’m happy for Jio,” said the youthful mentor moments after the win at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

“Kasi ‘yung breakout game niya this conference, wala. Hindi pa talaga eh.

“And unti-unti naming nababalik ‘yung kumpyansa ni Jio. Kasi nga from the start of the season, medyo nagkaproblema lang din siya,” he added, as Jalalon figured in multiple off-court controversies during the off-season. “So hindi niya makuha ‘yung… Kumbaga, ‘yung breakout game niya.”

Jalalon finding his touch couldn’t have come at a better time for Magnoila, with veteran floor general Mark Barroca troubled early in the third quarter. Barroca got whistled for a couple of fouls in just a span of a minute.

The 35-year-old only had eight points, although he scored the Hotshots’ last four points to deal the final blows to the Elasto Painters.

2021-PBA-Philippine-Cup-Quarterfinals-Magnolia-vs-Rain-or-Shine-Jio-Jalalon-vs-Rey-Nambatac Victolero relieved as Jalalon finally breaks out of slump Basketball News PBA  - philippine sports news

Photo by PBA Images

Still, it was the Cagayan de Oro native who made his seniors’ absence bearable. He scored 14 of his points in the second half alone.

#ReadMore  No issues between Arwind Santos and Terrence Romeo after rare All-Star spat

“Talagang malaking tulong siya, especially na-foul trouble si Mark. So siya ‘yung nag-lead sa amin sa third hanggang fourth quarter,” Victolero said.

Now, the champion bench tactician hopes that Jalalon will be able to keep this type of play moving forward, especially in the semis. There, they will battle either Meralco or NLEX – teams that gave them problems in the eliminations.

“Sana magtuluy-tuloy na ‘yung laro ni Jio.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.




You May Also Like

Basketball

Kelly Williams came through in dire straits as TNT escaped Magnolia, 80-79, to overcome a twice-to-win disadvantage and advance to the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Roger Pogoy took the lead and the others followed as TNT kept its Grand Slam bid very much alive by disabling Magnolia’s win-once bonus,...

Basketball

Zavier Lucero and Magnolia held off a late rally by TNT to escape with an 88-83 victory and secure the second twice-to-beat advantage in...

Basketball

Robert Bolick and Xyrus Torres led a furious comeback for NLEX, rallying from a 19-point deficit to hand Magnolia another tough loss, 107-99, and...

Bandwagon Wire

What happened to the Terrafirma franchise over the past year now seems to mirror what NorthPort is currently experiencing. Just a year ago, Terrafirma...

Basketball

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero is positive that William Navarro will soon get the hang of playing within his new reality, being with a perennial...

Basketball

Ginebra came from behind to beat Magnolia, 85-81, in another thrilling Manila Clasico showdown to throw itself into the Top Four race in the...

Basketball

William Navarro isn’t shying away from the pressure that comes with donning a Magnolia jersey. After all, he’s joining one of the most storied...

Advertisement