J-JAY Alejandro owes a lot in his career to coach Jamike Jarin from their time in National U in the UAAP to the PBA with Phoenix.
That's why with his career at a crossroads, the Caloocan native is sticking with the mentor, as he now serves as one of the deputies in Lyceum.
"Siyempre si coach Jamike yan. Sabi ko sa kanya, kasama niya 'ko hanggang dulo," Alejandro told SPIN.ph.
READ: Jarin embraces tough task of steering rebuilding Pirates right
Just at age 31, the 6-foot guard can undoubtedly still hang with the best of them.
But when his contract with the Fuel Masters expired on December last year and he found himself without a home, Alejandro stuck with Jarin.
"Nung narinig ko na papunta na siya ng LPU, sabi ko sa kanya, isama niya ako. Ayaw pa nga niya kasi gusto niya magpatuloy lang ako sa paglalaro," he said.
The heady guard did try out with a few MPBL teams, among them Caloocan and Batangas, but by January, "Kumpleto na daw sila at yung iba naman, may mga hinihintay na players."
Changing of the guard
What started out as volunteer work turned out to be a job for keeps, as he is now officially an assistant coach for Jarin with the Pirates, manning the sidelines in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup in the lead-up to NCAA Season 102.
It's also a refreshing return to Intramuros for Alejandro - albeit in a different school - as he is tasked to work with the Lyceum guards, among them first-year player Matthew Rubico and veterans Mac Guadaña and Renz Villegas.
"Tinuturuan ko lang yung mga guards ng tamang diskarte," said the Mapua High School product.
Alejandro, though, insisted that he's not closing his doors as a player just yet.
"Alam naman natin na may panahon lang din tayong mga player. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako kila Dean Randy [Sacdalan] and (athletic director) sir Allan [Layco] kasi sila mismo ang nagsabi sa akin na 'pag may lumapit na teams, pwede ko naman i-grab yung opportunity. Nandito lang naman yung LPU para sa akin," he said.
But while that offer sheet is yet to come, Alejandro is motivated to do his best in helping the Pirates compete at their best.
"Gusto ko lang matuto sila sa akin, pero yung pinakamalaki is yung patience," he said.
"Ako kasi, late ko na nakuha yun, nasa PBA na ako, nung may anak na ako. Kailangan nilang maintindihan yung pasensya, na 'di sa lahat ng oras ikaw yung nasusunod or magagawa mo yung gusto mo. Kaya dapat mahaba yung pasensya nila at makinig lang sila sa mga coaches lalo na kay coach Jamike."
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