At 34, Jio Jalalon believes that his time in basketball is soon coming to a close, thus the new mindset he has since recovering from back surgery.

The former PBA Press Corps Defensive Player of the Year is trying to make the most of his opportunity with TNT at this point in his career, just like what he did in their rout of Macau in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday.

He notched a rare triple-double of 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in 22 minutes, turning in a performance reminiscent of his exploits during his college days with Arellano University and while proving his worth early in his pro career.

“I’m thankful and grateful kasi ito naman ‘yung ano ko ngayon sa buhay ko. Like, alam ko patapos na ako sa basketball sa PBA,” he said moments after the Tropang 5G’s 142-27 mauling of the Giant Pandas for their third win in a row.

“But, gusto ko lang matapos ‘yung career ko na ganito, like ganito, ‘yung trabaho na natatapos ko. Yun ang inaano ko sa sarili ko, na every day mag-improve lang ako one percent, so gusto ko lang magtrabaho.”

It’s quite a surprising musing from Jalalon, for he appears to have more years of solid basketball left, although it is understandable at the same time, considering that he went through chronic sciatica, which put some doubts on his future.

That injury was the reason why his form dropped for a time, pushing him to have it repaired surgically as a way to address the issue and to continue playing.

Months later, he’s definitely feeling better, so much so that he was able to register his third PBA career triple-double on Tuesday following a thorough check by the league’s chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon III, through records.

It was, furthermore, his first triple-double in the last three seasons, becoming the fourth active local player to tally three triple-doubles after Chris Ross, former league MVP Scottie Thompson, and rookie Juan Gomez de Liano.

“Sobrang tagal na,” reflected Jalalon, who recorded his first two triple-doubles during his time with Magnolia. “Sabi ko nga sa sarili ko, nakaka-miss mag-basketball. Kaya ito na ‘yung ano ko, na wala akong regret na sa buhay.

“Na maglalaro lang ako; kung ano ‘yung trabaho ko, sige, pasok lang ako, basta I’m always ready,” added the special Gilas draftee back in 2016.

Maximizing his time on the court is also his way of repaying the trust given by the flagship MVP franchise, especially after signing him to a one-year extension.

“Sobrang thankful and grateful ako kay Boss Jolas and Coach Chot, siyempre binigyan pa rin ako ng work. Blessed ako dahil nandito pa rin ako,” he said.

“Every day pinapakita ko sa kanila na kaya ko pang gawin yung makakaya ko maitulong sa team,” added Jalalon, who was picked up by TNT via free agency a day before Season 50 opened.

“As a role player sa TNT, I’m always ready.”

The post Jio Jalalon grateful for TNT lifeline as he makes most of remaining years appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.

Uganda Gazelles star Janon Jaye Otto has joined Bulgarian basketball club BC Beroe Stara Zagora ahead of the new season.

The 29-year-old American-born forward arrives from Spanish side Joventut, bringing international experience from several leagues across the world.

Beroe announced the signing, welcoming Otto to Stara Zagora as the club looks to strengthen its roster.

“Welcome to Beroe, Giann Otto,” the club’s statement partly reads.

Standing at 183 centimetres, Otto plays at positions three and four and holds a Ugandan passport, making her eligible to represent the Uganda Gazelles on the international stage.

Otto joins Beroe on the back of an impressive campaign in Mongolia, where she won the league championship and was named Most Valuable Player (MVP). She subsequently featured in Mexico, where she also made a positive impression.

Her career has taken her across Australia, Egypt, Spain, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg and the United States, giving her extensive experience in different basketball environments.

Otto’s move to Bulgaria adds another chapter to her international career as she prepares to feature for Beroe in Stara Zagora.

The signing is also a boost for Ugandan basketball, with the Gazelles star continuing to build her profile on the international stage.

The post Uganda Gazelles star Janon Jaye Otto lands Bulgarian move appeared first on Kawowo Sports.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came back strong as TNT cruised to an easy 142-87 victory over the luckless Macau for its third successive win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Back in action for the first time in 10 months, the three-time Best Import showed how healthy he’s gone from an Achilles tear, posting 22 points albeit on 22 shots, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals without a single turnover.

‘RHJ’ was part of the five that broke the game wide open in the second canto, ultimately leading to the 55-point triumph which hiked their record to 7-4 to stay third behind NLEX (8-2) and San Miguel Beer (7-3) in Group A.

“Ever since naman, ang plan was to bring him in before the playoffs,” Coach Chot Reyes said. “We found an opportunity to ease him in slowly.”

Excited with the return of Hollis-Jefferson, six more players finished in double figures in the win, with Calvin Oftana finishing with 28 points.

Another comebacking key cog in Poy Erram delivered nicely with 15 points and eight rebounds to lead the bench. Jordan Heading and Henry Galinato supplied 11 points apiece, with Kim Aurin chipping in 10 markers.

Jio Jalalon, showing the same form he had a decade ago in college, notched a triple-double of 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in 22 minutes.

The post PBA: RHJ returns in style as TNT blasts Macau by 55 appeared first on Tiebreaker Times.