MANILA, Philippines -- Arellano U's Jio Jalalon is starting to make a case for this year's NCAA MVP award.
After a slow start, Jalalon has been playing great as of late and recently came through a triple-double performance to power the Chiefs to a pulsating 84-77 overtime victory over Perpetual Help in their second round 91st NCAA basketball tournament game at The Arena in San Juan City.
His 32-point, 15-assists and 10-rebound effort against the Altas put Jalalon in the MVP conversation after only running sixth behind Mapua's Allwell Oraeme, San Beda's Arthur dela Cruz, Perpetual Help's Earl
Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie and Letran's Rey Nambatac in the wide open MVP derby.
Along the way, Jalalon, a native of Cagayan de Oro City, was named ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week for his exceptional performance.
"If he can play like that every game, we'll have a chance," said Arellano coach Jerry Codinera of Jalalon, who already registered his second triple-double game following 12 points, 10 boards and 15 dimes in a 92-80 win over Emilio Aguinaldo College in the first round in July 14.
Jalalon said he was inspired playing against triple-double machine Thompson, the reigning league MVP who duplicated the former's feat with 24 points, 12 caroms and 11 assists in a defeat.
"He (Thompson) is going to the PBA and I'm still in college. That is the reason I played like this, I want to prove to everyone that I can be like him too," said Jalalon.
Jalalon also beat dela Cruz, who had a triple-double himself (26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists) in an 83-75 win over Jose Rizal Tuesday, and Letran's diminutive but big-hearted guard Mark Cruz, who exploded with 17 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter in a 74-57 win over Lyceum Friday, for the weekly plum backed by ACCEL Quantum and 3XVI.