Ginebra rookie Scottie Thompson. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
If this was any other basketball game, Jio Jalalon would be the star spectacle.
But on Friday, the speedster from Arellano University was fine sitting on the sidelines and being a fan.
Jalalon watched Scottie Thompson, a former foe come to his own and become a vital member of the Ginebra lore.
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“Sobrang galing, grabe improve niya, sobrang sipag, kaya idol na idol ko siya,” said Jalalon Wednesday as confetti showered down on Thompson and the Gin Kings for their Game 6 triumph over Meralco in the title-clincher of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
For the better part of five years, Jalalon and Thompson duked it out to become the best point guard in the NCAA.
Their duel reached fever pitch in Season 90 when the two traded triple-doubles but it was Thompson who got the upper hand when he won his MVP.
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But it’s been two years in the past now and Jalalon is perfectly happy with how his old collegiate rival is performing in the PBA.
“Pinapanood ko siya, intense yung laro, and grabe yung kumpiyansa niya sa sarili niya,” said Jalalon. “Sobra, sobra, sobrang proud ko sa kanya.”