JIO Jalalon was recently relegated by TNT to its Unrestricted Free Agent List With Rights To Salary (UFAWR2S) to give way to the return of former MVP Kelly Williams to the team’s 15-man regular roster.
Under this setup, the 33-year-old Jalalon is available to be picked up and signed by any team in the PBA or by any professional basketball league without this team giving any player in return.
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SPIN.ph learned from sources that TNT management didn’t put a special clause on Jalalon’s relegation to free agency. In the past, players like Jalalon are relegated to such status on the understanding that they won't entertain offers from other ballclubs.
Usually, clubs adhere to what they call a "gentleman's agreement" in which these players remain untouched because there is a chance in the future that they may be reactivated.
“Walang gentleman’s agreement yun,” said a source privy to Jalalon’s situation.
Jalalon's case is not unique. It’s been done by many teams in the past, such as when Jayson Castro and Williams were relegated to UFA. It also happened to Barangay Ginebra’s Joe Devance and LA Tenorio, as well as to Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga.
Apparently, Jalalon is not that important to TNT's future plans. The team is giving him away for free, which is not a good sign for the veteran guard.
“So ibig sabihin puwedeng mag-sign si Jio sa ibang teams na kukuha sa kanya na mag-a-assume nung remaining contract niya from TNT,” added the source.
This is the second time that this sitiuation happened to Jalalon. He was picked by TNT as a UFA prior to Season 50 after Titan Ultra didn’t offer him a contract extension when his previous deal with Northport expired. Jalalon was one of the players taken by the Giant Risers when they bought the Batang Pier franchise lock, stock and barrel last year.
Shortly after that, Jalalon, a product of Arellano University, was signed to a one-year deal by the Tropang 5G.
He was part of the TNT side that finished runner-up to San Miguel during the Philippine Cup Finals but has played just two games in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup before his UFA relegation.
Jalalon fell down in the point guard rotation of TNT after the return of its long-time leader Jayson Castro from injury. Previously, he served as the team’s third option at the 1 spot behind Rey Nambatac and Simon Enciso. - Gerry Ramos
NSA head on the way out
A high-ranking official of a national sports association is set to step down following a disappointing performance by one of the association's teams, according to a source.
The same official was also called out by a senior executive because of a recent behavior deemed to to be inimical to the interests of the association, a source added.
The person has been a controversial figure but his recent attitude, especially on social media, towards the success of another team under the NSA's umbrella, did not go well with other officials and some members of the sports community.
The official most alarmed was reportedly a very influential figure in the association, the source said. - Reuben Terrado
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