MPBL: Bacolod finds unlikely hero in big man Jan Colina

Bacolod big man Jan Colina. MPBL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Basking in the glow of his best game yet in the MPBL, Bacolod star Pao Javelona was quick to deflect credit to one of his team’s unsung heroes.

“I want people to remember how good Jan Colina was when he was playing in college,” said Javelona, referring to the former Adamson big man who provided a spark in the second half of a stunning 84-82 upset of Zamboanga Thursday night in the MPBL Lakan Season.

Short on confidence and scoreless in his team’s first seven games, Colina knocked in six crucial points that helped Bacolod build enough cushion to avert a late-game collapse at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.

“We reminded him that he can still make an impact for us,” said Javelona, who topscored with 27 points, six rebounds and five assists. “We know he could help us in our campaign.”

One of the last teams to fill up its roster, Bacolod’s line up is short on big men, which meant Colina, who played for Caloocan and Bulacan in the first two seasons, needed to step up for coach Vic Ycasiano’s team against a Zamboanga squad that carried a three-game winning run heading into the match.

“We were looking for other sources (on offense) so we went to Jan Colina,” said Ycasiano whose team also snapped a three-game slide and improved to 3-5 in the South division. “

Colina’s baskets came at a time when the offense was going nowhere with Javelona and Mac Tallo both bottled up by the Zamboanga defense. Tallo came up with a solid outing finishing with nine points, nine rebounds, and 12 assists.

“I’m just happy I was able to contribute to our team’s win,” said Colina.

In other games, Pasay ended a four-game skid with a stunning 83-78 win over Bacoor, while Caloocan notched back to back victories for the first time this season after dumping Rizal, 92-78.

The Voyagers, with Raymund Ilagan and Jan Jamon scoring 16 each, climbed to 4-5, while sending the Strikers to just their second defeat in eight games. The Supremos improved to 3-5 while the Golden Coolers fell to their fifth straight defeat for a 1-6 slate.