PBA Draft Combine MVP Jio Jalalon. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Whether he’s the top overall pick or not, Jio Jalalon wouldn’t mind where he falls in the Special PBA Rookie Draft.
“Hindi ko rin talaga iniisip. Kung sakali mang mag-number one or mag-number two, hindi ko na iniisip yon. Kung ano man ibigay sakin okay lang kung saan ako mapupunta,” Jalalon, who is part of the Gilas pool, said.
But when asked which team does he want to play for, the explosive point guard didn’t hold back.
“Gusto ko mag-Ginebra,” he told reporters during the 2016 PBA Draft Combine Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Jalalon said he has always wanted to play for Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
“Gusto ko si coach Tim Cone talaga. Nung pagpunta ko sa college, lagi akong nanonood, Purefoods pa dati.”
Jalalon is also a good friend of Gin Kings rookie Scotte Thompson. The two had many battles in the NCAA when Thompson was still starring for University of Perpetual Help.
“Pagkatapos nung championship nila nag-usap kami. Sabi ko nga sobrang swerte nga niya, nag-champion siya kahit hindi siya nag-champion sa Ginebra. Sabi nga niya, sana mapunta daw ako doon.”
Ginebra won the PBA crown last week, ending the franchise’s eight-year title-drought.
And like Jalalon, who opted to forego his final year with Arellano, Thompson failed to win a championship in the NCAA.
Jalalon and former Far Eastern University forward Mac Belo are the projected top two picks in the draft on Sunday.