TYLER Bey and Jio Jalalon connected during a critical moment of the fourth quarter of Magnolia’s huge win over Barangay Ginebra on Sunday night.
Bey threw down a fastbreak dunk off a feed from Jalalon at the final 3:29 mark, allowing Magnolia to grab the lead for the very first time in the game, 85-83. The Hotshots held on to secure the 93-91 victory, completing a comeback from 26 points down.
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Bey and Jalalon were the pillars in the comeback, combining for 33 out of Magnolia’s 58 second-half points in the win.
“Sa totoo lang, sarap kasama si Tyler sa court,” Jalalon said. “Grabe ‘yung motor niya. Hindi siya napapagod. Basta hindi siya magre-relax, lalabas at lalabas ‘yung game niya. Siyempre mahahawa ‘yung core namin.”
Jalalon's energy was also infectious, especially in the second half and even during the fourth quarter where he was already nursing five fouls.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said he talked to Jalalon after he struggled in the first half where he only had three points and shot 1-of-6 from the field.
“I started Mark and Paul in the second half, and then after six minutes, I go to Jio. That’s the start of our rally together with Tyler,” said Victolero.
“The energy that he gives to the team, parang nahahawa na ‘yung iba eh. It rubbed off to the players and he executed well in the second half. I told Jio in the first half na he was so excited, he was out of control. Coach Johnny (Abarrientos) and I talked to him about it and he responded to the challenge, taking the lead sa team niya.”
“If he leads sa kanyang assist department, sa hustle, turnover points, sa fastbreak points, malaking bagay sa amin. At least kahit papano, nakabalik si Jio,” said Victolero.
Bey said he enjoyed his first ‘Manila Clasico’ experience.
“It was fun,” said Bey. “We were down. All I can really say is it was fun. We came back. We did our job. We were disciplined. We got tested. And it was just fun.”
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