LATE in the season as it may be, Jio Jalalon still welcomed his reunion with Calvin Abueva at NorthPort.
The pesky guard admitted he was thrilled upon learning that ‘The Beast’ was about to join the Batang Pier following the trade with Magnolia last week that revolved around rising forward William Navarro.
Aside from Abueva, NorthPort also got Jerrick Balanza and a future Magnolia second-round pick in the deal.
READ Phoenix comes alive to ruin NorthPort debut of Abueva
“Honestly, masaya kasi alam ko naman paano maglaro si Calvin. Thankful na nadagdag siya dito sa NorthPort kasi nakakahawa naman talaga yung energy niya lalo na pag nasa court na siya,” said Jalalon.
But NorthPort failed to get the outcome it wanted as it lost to Phoenix, 118-107, that stretched its losing streak to eight (1-8) in the PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
Abueva finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in his first game for the Batang Pier.
For his part, Jalalon had seven points on 3-of-4 shooting, six rebounds and six assists.
This marked the first time Jalalon and Abueva played together this season after being teammates with Magnolia the last four years where they played in the finals twice, but fell short both times.
Jalalon was the first to be traded prior to the start of Season 49 together with Abu Tratter for big man Zavier Lucero.
Now the two are back together under one team.
“Yun nga lang, no excuses, late lang talaga siya (Abueva) dumating. Pero may mga games pa naman kaya thankful pa rin na magkakalaro pa rin kami,” said Jalalon. “Sarap kasi kasama si Calvin sa loob ng court lalo na kung dikdikan yung laban.”
Actually, it’s a reunion not only for Jalalon and Abueva, but for Balanza as well.
“Natutuwa ako kasi si Jerrick nung nandun pa ako sa Magnolia, hardworker din yan. And gusto kong kasama yung mga ganun sa team. Nakakahawa yung mga ganun,” said Jalalon.
All three former Magnolia players still have two more games to play together against NLEX on June 11 (Ninoy Aquino Stadium) and San Miguel on June 15 (Ynares Center in Antipolo).
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