JIO Jalalon is obviously making the most out of the remaining opportunities left in his PBA playing career.
So when the door was left open for him to go for a rare triple-double, the veteran guard didn’t let the chance slip away.
The 34-year-old Jalalon registered his first triple double in four years - and first in a TNT uniform - in the Tropang 5G’s 142-87 clobbering of guest team Macau in the PBA 50th Season Governors Cup.
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Jalalon dropped 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in just 22 minutes of play, helping the defending champions notch their third straight win for a 7-4 record in Group A.
The guard out of Arellano University didn’t achieve the milestone until the final 24 seconds when he scored TNT’s final points of the game.
“Alam ko patapos na ako ng basketball sa PBA. Kaya gusto ko lang matapos yung career ko ng ganito, yung trabaho natatapos ko,” he said.
He admitted not being aware he’s just a point away from completing his first career treble since 2022 when he was still with Magnolia.
“Hindi ako aware. Basta naglalaro lang ako. Si Rey (Nambatac) sinasabi, 'Isa na lang, isa na lang,'” said Jalalon.
“So si coach Chot (Reyes) yung last play, sabi niya tawag ka ng head, tapos nakita ko rin yung officiating tumayo sa akin, sabi niya isang point na lang para triple double ka, kinuha ko na lang.”
Overall, it was Jalalon’s third career triple-double including two with the Hotshots in a game against Blackwater in 2018 (13 points, 12 rebounds, 13 assists) and Rain or Shine in 2022 (16 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists), both of which Magnolia won.
“Sobrang tagal na,” he said about the last time he had a career triple-double. “Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, sobrang nakaka-miss mag-basketball kaya ito lang maglaro lang ako kung ano yung trabaho ko, ipasok man ako, basta I’m always ready.”
Jalalon was picked up from free agency by TNT just a day before the start of Season 50. His contract was later auto-extended by the Tropang 5G for the remainder of the season-ending conference.
“Sobrang thankful and grateful kay coach Chot and boss Jolas (Jojo Lastimosa) siyempre binigyan pa rin ako ng work. Blessed ako ngayon, andito pa naman ako sa team, and every day ipinapakita ko sa kanila na kaya ko pang gawin yung makakaya ko, yung maitutulong sa team,” said Jalalon.
After two finals stints this season with TNT, Jalalon hopes to nail a championship with the franchise before his contract expires.
“For me as a role player dito sa TNT, I’m always ready. Yun ang mindset ko every game,” Jalalon said.
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