Tenacious San Beda defense throws Jalalon off his game

A frustrated Jio Jalalon against San Beda. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.bet

The past two games had been Jio Jalalon’s worst in a season that he has dominated from the start.

The superstar point guard from Arellano University attributed his struggles to San Beda’s defensive game plan against him.

“Sobrang talino ni coach Jamike (Jarin) and yung mga players nila ready talaga sa depensa,” Jalalon said Tuesday after the Chiefs dropped another game against the Red Lions, this time for the no. 1 spot.

READ: San Beda trips Arellano anew, locks top seed in NCAA Finals

“Tuwing nagda-drive ako, parang tatlo, dalawa yung naghe-help. Iniisip ko rin na kelangan kong i-give up yung bola. Nagi-give up ko minsan, pero wala talaga, sobrang higpit ng depensa nila e kaya kelangan naming mag-adjust sa sona nila.”

That strategy employed by San Beda head coach Jamike Jarin has limited Jalalon, regarded as one of the best collegiate players today, to just 14 points per game in his previous two outings on a combined 9-of-34 shooting from the field.

Jalalon has been downright spectacular and has had multiple 30-point games and near triple-double performances this season but not against San Beda, which certainly has and his team’s number this year.

READ: Arellano’s ‘third guy’ Gumaru giving Jalalon, Salado a boost

Following their 80-73 victory in the playoff for the top spot, the Red Lions improved to 3-0 against the Chiefs.

San Beda remains as the only team Arellano has not beaten this season.

“Siguro lesson learned yun para sa amin. Pagdating siguro sa semis, kailangan naming makinig sa mga coaches kasi ngayon parang nagkakanya kanya kami,” Jalalon said.

And just when things couldn’t get any worse, Jalalon also hurt his right foot near the midway mark of the third quarter.

READ: Jalalon, Chiefs still very eager to get no.1 seed

He missed the last five minutes and 43 seconds of the third quarter and the early part of the fourth period, but was able to play through it to finish the game.

“Sobrang sakit. Pag-rebound ko kanina, naapakan ko yung sapatos ni Noah. Nag-struggle na rin ako nung na-injure ako,” Jalalon recalled. “Sabi ko kanina, coach, mamaya na siguro, ipahinga ko na to. Iniisip ko rin kasi yung semis.”

The 24-year-old Jalalon couldn’t get it going as he finished with 14 points on 4-of-17 shooting from the field.

READ: Jalalon unleashes 33 as Arellano scrapes past Lyceum

The loss sent Arellano into a Final Four matchup with No. 3 Mapua and its reigning MVP Allwell Oraeme.

“Nandito na naman kami sa goal namin na nakapasok sa Final Four. Siguro, pagdating dun, kelangan naming i-stop lang si Oraeme.”

The semifinals begins on Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.