They remain unscathed since the PBA on Tour.
Jio Jalalon conspired with import Tyler Bey in the second half as the Magnolia Hotshots completed a massive come-from-behind win, 93-91, over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.
After struggling in the first half, Jalalon was a bundle of energy in the last two quarters, doing Jio Jalalon things on both ends of the floor to help the Hotshots erase the double-digit deficit.
It didn’t go unnoticed.
After the game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero gave props to Jalalon, whose tireless spunk allowed the Hotshots to improve to 4-0.
“‘Yung contribution ni Jio especially ‘yung energy niya, the energy that he gives to the team rubbed off on the other players,” Victolero said.
Victolero added that he and assistant coach Johnny Abarrientos had a sitdown with Jalalon at halftime. He didn’t divulge more details about it but it definitely worked.
“I told Jio about the first half that he was too excited. I know Jio is playing very well right now, but in the first half, he was out of control,” he said of Jalalon, who only had three points at the break. “Coach Johnny and I talked to him about it and he responded to the challenge of taking the lead.”
Victolero and Abarrientos sure know what they're talking about, as they were both steady floor generals when they played in the PBA.
Jalalon eventually ended up with 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists, continuing his string of solid all-around performances.
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Jalalon is expected to take on the same role anew when the Hotshots gun for a fifth straight victory against the NLEX Road Warriors on December 1.
(PM)