Jalalon puts Chiefs back in NCAA title quest

MANILA, Philippines – Jio Jalalon’s late surge didn’t only revive his MVP bid but also put Arellano back into title contention in the 91st NCAA men’s basketball tournament.

“If he can play like that every game, we’ll have a chance,” said Arellano coach Jerry Codiñera, referring to his top gunner’s triple-double effort that lifted the Chiefs past the Perpetual Help Altas, 84-77, last Friday.

The victory tied Arellano with its victim at third at 8-4 behind joint leaders San Beda and Letran (10-2) while bolstering Jalalon’s bid in a tight MVP derby featuring Mapua’s Allwell Oraeme, San Beda’s Arthur dela Cruz, Perpetual Help’s Earl Scottie Thompson and Bright Akhuetie and Letran’s Rey Nambatac.

Jalalon’s 32-point, 15-assist and 10-rebound performance against the Altas was actually his second triple-double after scoring 12 points, hauling down 10 rebounds and dishing off 15 assists in the Chiefs’ 92-80 romp over the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals in the first round last July 14.

It also netted the Cagayan de Oro City native the Accel Quantum-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week honors.

Jalalon said he was motivated by Perpetual’s Scottie Thompson, the reigning MVP who actually put in another triple-double of 24 points, 12 caroms and 11 assists in their 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 also had a triple-double (26 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists) in an 83-75 win over Jose Rizal Tuesday, and Letran’s Mark Cruz, who exploded with 17 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter in a 74-57 win over Lyceum Friday.