Jio Jalalon's arrival is a big boost for the TNT Tropang 5G, who have grappled with injuries at the end of PBA Season 49.
Jio Jalalon is officially a Ka-Tropa.
Jalalon and TNT agreed to a deal, the team announced just a day before the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup unfolds Sunday, Oct. 5.
Terms of the contract, however, were not disclosed.
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Jalalon expressed his excitement in joining the championship-tested Tropang 5G.
"God is great kasi ito na, malapit na ang liga, napa-sign pa ako ng TNT. Itong pag-sign ko, sobrang happy lang. So i-e-enjoy ko lang 'to," said Jalalon.
"Sobrang excited kasi alam mo naman ang TNT, hindi nagpapatalo, winning team. 'Yon din ang gusto ko.”
After getting released by NorthPort, Jalalon now joins Rey Nambatac and Jordan Heading in the Tropang 5G's stacked backcourt.
TNT also officially signed guard Almond Vosotros, who returned to the team midway through the Philippine Cup last season.
[RELATED STORY: Rey Nambatac is ‘healthy and ready to play’ after missing most of PBA Philippine Cup]
Jio Jalalon suits up for the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup. | Photo: FB/TNT Tropang 5G
They are expected to fill the gap left by Tropang 5G star guard Jayson Castro, who is still out of action this conference as he completes his recovery from the patellar tendon tear he incurred in TNT's semifinal tussle with Rain or Shine in last season's Commissioner’s Cup.
Jalalon said that he is willing to do all that he can to help the team.
"Pagdating sa court, tutulungan ko lang 'yong TNT, 'yong mga teammates ko, kung anong maitutulong ko sa kanila," Jalalon said.
"I'm ready, kung anong maibibigay ko sa court."
The Tropang 5G will enter the league's golden season looking revitalized after a lengthy offseason that allowed key players like Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy to fully recover from their respective injuries.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.