Jio Jalalon is embracing the bigger role he has to take for Magnolia with stars Paul Lee and Mark Barroca still not a hundred percent due to injuries.
The do-it-all playmaker is aware of the shoes he has to fill in being entrusted with lead guard responsibilities but said that he isn’t letting pressure hold him down as he’s solely focused on doing what he’s asked by his coaches.
“Hindi ko pine-pressure ‘yung sarili ko,” he said.
“Enjoy every game, kung anuman ‘yung sasabihin nila sa’kin, kung anong ipapagawa, ginagawa ko.”
Jalalon had to run the one in their game against Converge last week, as Barroca failed to finish the match due to calf problems. That compounded their woes on the backcourt, which was already without Lee due to back spasms.
Magnolia lost, 82-89, where it went scoreless in overtime. It was also the Hotshots’ first 0-2 start into a conference since the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup.
That, though, didn’t affect Jalalon’s confidence. And he proved as much by helping the Hotshots take win no. 1 against NorthPort, Wednesday.
The Arellano product made the game-winning pass to Rome Dela Rosa, who nailed a triple with six seconds left that led to the 80-77 victory.
“Si Coach nagsabi sa’kin, ‘This is for you.’ Sabi ko, ‘Sige, bigay mo sa’kin,’” he said of the last play. “Alam ko naman sa sarili ko na ‘di ko papahiyain si Coach. Sa trabaho ko rito sa Magnolia, ‘yung in-assign nila sa’kin, I accept that.
“Sina Rome, si Aris, lahat ng mga shooter namin, bini-build up ko. Kahit hindi mashu-shoot, go, keep shooting. Kasi nangyari kay Rome, na-frustrate na siya, so kinausap ko, ‘Hey bro, papasok din ‘yan sa dulo,'” he added.
Head coach Chito Victolero was pleased with the way Jalalon responded to his challenge. “Ang challenge ko sa kanya is how he distribute or ma-involve niya yung other players or yung kanyang mga teammates,” he said.
“‘Yun ang nagagawa ni Jio ngayon,” added Victolero as Jalalon finished with eight points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Jalalon is just grateful to have the guidance of Victolero and assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos as he fulfills his role with the Hotshots.
“Minsan, nagkakamali, hindi naman tayo perfect na player, back to basics ulit kasi nandiyan naman si Coach Johnny, si Coach Chito lagi ako nire-remind every timeout, ‘O eto na gagawin mo ngayon,’” he said.
“Thanks to Coach Chito and Coach Johnny kasi sila ‘yung nagga-guide sa akin every [time[ nasa loob ako,” Jalalon furthered.
“‘Yun nga, sina Kuya Paul and Kuya Mark may nararamdaman, kumbaga, yes ako na ‘yung nasa gilid nila, trabahuhin ko lahat hanggang makakaya ko.”
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