WILL Jio Jalalon end up in the MPBL or with the TNT Tropang Giga once he turns unrestricted free agent in five months' time?
Those two seemed the most likely destinations of the fleet-footed guard, who was mostly left to rot on the NorthPort bench since being he and Abu Tratter were traded by Magnolia to the Batang Pier for Zavier Lucero in July 2024.
READ Why Jio Jalalon has yet to play a game for NorthPort in playoffs
The former Arellano Chiefs star, who has distinguished himself as one of the league's best two-way backcourt players since being drafted by Magnolia in the 2016 Gilas draft, is still under contract until August on a deal inherited by NorthPort after the trade.
But since he has already played the required 21 conferences in the league, Jalalon, who remains in NorthPort's active roster despite the long inactivity, automatically becomes an unrestricted free agent once that contract expires.
Although the 32-year old guard has been reduced into a bench warmer at NorthPort, where coach Bonnie Tan seemed more comfortable alternating youngsters Evan Nelle and Fran Yu at point guard, he isn't lacking in takers in free agency.
One of the logical destinations is TNT, which has a big hole to fill in the backcourt after star Jayson Castro suffered a patellar tendon tear that should keep him out of action for almost a year. Ironically, Jalalon was labelled the 'next Castro' in his NCAA days.
Although Rey Nambatac has been ably filling the void at point guard, the Tropang Giga will need a veteran like Jalalon to steady the ship in the Philippine Cup where TNT potentially could be gunning for a grand slam.
“It is not yet cast in stone, but that is part of the plans,” said a source of the possibility of going after Jalalon, who also played briefly for TNT coach Chot Reyes at Gilas Pilipinas.
Aside from TNT, also showing interest are the Pangasinan Waves, who have in fact placed Jalalon and NorthPort teammate Allyn Bulanadi on their reserve list heading to the MPBL's 2025 season.
What injury?
Sources said a move to the Waves camp may come sooner if Jalalon's situation at NorthPort becomes untenable, although that would entail either a release from the Batang Pier camp or a buyout of his contract.
So what about the 'back injury' that limited Jalalon to a single game in the Batang Pier's campaign in the last PBA Commissioner's Cup?
Sources said that injury has long healed.
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