Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
After Kiefer Ravena had his way in Game 1 of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals, Magnolia guard Jio Jalalon made sure to give the NLEX rookie all he could handle in Game 2 on Monday.
So much so that he took the initiative and asked coach Chito Victolero if he could get the defensive assignment.
“I was thinking about it on practice, and I asked coach Chito if he can give me the task to defend Kiefer. I can at least try,” Jalalon recounted.
.@M_Hotshots’ Jio Jalalon discusses how difficult it was defending @kieferravena in Game 2. #PBA2018 pic.twitter.com/tVk5csuFIl
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) March 12, 2018
Jalalon believed he can stand his ground and make life hard for Ravena.
After all, from their numerous wars from the collegiate leagues to their national team scrimmages, the Cagayan de Oro native knew the former Ateneo star better than anyone in the Hotshots roster.
With Jalalon guarding him, Ravena was limited to just nine points, three rebounds, and seven assists. The Road Warriors were also outscored by 10 points with him on the floor.
“Kiefer has a very high basketball IQ and you can’t really stop him,” attested the Magnolia sophomore. “I just followed the coaches’ game plan and I’m happy that we were able to execute that.”
Jalalon, meanwhile, was rewarded for his active presence on the floor as he almost nabbed a triple-double with his nine markers, 10 dimes, and six boards.
The former Arellano playmaker expects his job to get tougher in the coming games as a player as intelligent as Ravena sure knows how to adjust against the best defenses.
“We’ve already lost two of our rotation guys, so the most that we want to do here is to enjoy the games and have no pressure,” he said. “When it comes to the games, we couldn’t think of anything else but to play and give our best. Enjoy life.”
Game 3 is on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.