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Too turnover-prone, and too lax on defense.
That’s how Go for Gold coach Charles Tiu described J-Jay Alejandro, who didn’t look like himself amid the team’s two-game skid in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup.
But with the 6-foot guard struggling, Tiu knew he only needed to give the 22-year-old a few words to get the former National University star to get back on track.
And on Tuesday, the shifty guard played his best game to date, pouring in 23 points to go along with five rebounds, and four assists in the Scratchers’ 81-69 win over Perpetual Help.
“This is the first game that I’m actually happy with the way he played,” said Tiu. “We talked a bit and it came from him that he needs to do better and that’s what I appreciate.”
Alejandro’s stupendous showing was a testament to why Go for Gold signed him to address its need for have a proven player.
“We got him because he’s a Mythical Five in the UAAP and it’s not easy to be a Mythical Five in the UAAP. He’s really a good player and he’s gonna make the PBA someday,” said Tiu.
For Alejandro, meanwhile, it was just a matter of giving back to the team for all the confidence Tiu is giving him through this campaign.
“I just want to give back to the trust that coach Charles and all the coaches have been giving me. It was a big win for us and we knew that if we want to make it to the playoffs, we have to win this game. I’m just glad that everyone of us answered to the call,” he said.
With him and the team back on their winning ways, Alejandro is hopeful that this victory over the Altas would just be the spark the Scratchers need to move up the standings and make a run to the quarterfinals.
“We already learned from our two losses,” he said. “Hopefully, this will be our stepping stone all throughout the tournament.”