Jalalon hopes culture fit with TNT generates success
Jio Jalalon is eager to finally begin his new chapter with TNT, excited to immerse himself in a franchise where winning is the only thing worth measuring.
“I like that kind of culture,” Jalalon told the Inquirer in Filipino. “That will push me to do the same.”
The former Defensive Player of the Year will get his first chance to contribute when the Tropang Giga—fresh off two championships and a near-miss at a Grand Slam last season—opens their Philippine Cup campaign against Phoenix on Friday night.
Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Rodriguez, Rizal, the town still commonly referred to as Montalban. The venue hosted a pair of playdates during the summer conference.
With key players like Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading and Rey Nambatac back healthy, TNT enters Season 50 still hungry for titles. The team added depth during the offseason by signing Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill. Then came Jalalon—though his arrival was far from smooth.
His contract with NorthPort expired on August 31, but he had to wait until Sept. 30 to officially become an unrestricted free agent after NorthPort’s successor, Titan Ultra, declined to make an offer. That month-long limbo sparked controversy when Jalalon was seen practicing with TNT, despite a pending and later canceled trade to Blackwater for Justin Chua.
TNT defended his presence, saying he was free to try out since his contract had lapsed. On Oct. 4, Jalalon finally signed the deal, ending a drawn-out saga that followed an injury-riddled stint with NorthPort. He was originally traded by Magnolia in 2024 as part of the Zavier Lucero deal.
“I’m feeling great and I’m really happy,” he said, crediting his agent, Danny Espiritu, for ironing out the details.
Now, both Jalalon and TNT are hoping to see flashes of the dynamic guard who starred at Arellano University, once made waves with Gilas Pilipinas, and built a reputation as one of the PBA’s most disruptive defenders.
“I’m a winning person,” said Jalalon, who had won a championship with Magnolia in the 2018 Governors’ Cup while also making multiple semifinal and Finals appearances then. “I’ll do whatever I can to help the team by giving my all.”
In the day’s first game at 5 p.m., Blackwater faces Terrafirma, with attention on Bossing rookie Dalph Panopio and sophomore guard Sedrick Barefield, who’s likely motivated after falling short in last season’s Rookie of the Year race to RJ Abarrientos.
Terrafirma, under new head coach Ronald Tubid, looks to surprise critics and rise above low expectations. Phoenix, meanwhile, also parades a new bench boss in Willy Wilson, who hopes to lead his team—anchored by veteranW Jason Perkins—to a statement upset against powerhouse TNT.
