Veteran guard Jio Jalalon cherished every minute he spent on the floor in his first game for NorthPort after a three-month layoff due to a back injury.
Breathing in the adrenaline-filled air of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), his Philippine Cup debut against Rain or Shine last Wednesday felt like a resurrection of his competitive spirit.
For the 32-year-old court general, stepping back on the hardcourt reignited his drive to continue his professional career despite dealing with painful sciatica issues.
“I’m thankful I got to play in this kind of intense game,” he said as he talked to reporters outside the Batang Pier’s dugout at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a relief for him, after all, Jalalon felt he was sidelined longer. He last played back in January during the Commissioner’s Cup before hitting the sickbay after his back acted up.
“I think this is my longest injury and longest time being unable to play,” Jalalon said.
“But I’m just thankful they (physical therapists) took really good care of me to be able to get back on the court,” he added.
The 2016 special draft selection of Magnolia shared that he’s been feeling some pain on his back even before he was traded by the Hotshots along with Abu Tratter to Northport for Zavier Lucero last year.
“I’ve been dealing with it for quite some time, back when I was with Magnolia, but I didn’t know what kind of injury. I just learned it was sciatica when I got transferred to NorthPort,” he said.
“Being a hard worker took a toll on my back nerves. It started from there and it developed into sciatica.”
Unleashed by head coach Bonnie Tan, albeit in managed minutes, Jalalon played his heart out.
“I really miss this so much. I tried to keep pace with RoS in the running game. Thankfully, my injury didn’t act up,” he said.
Unfortunately, the Elasto Painters spoiled Jalalon’s comeback as NorthPort played sans injured main gunner Arvin Tolentino (right hip flexor) and absorbed a 96-113 loss.
However, it allowed Jalalon to stretch his muscles after finishing with 11 points off 4-of-9 shooting from the field, including a 3-of-5 clip from the three-point area.
He also dished out six assists, grabbed two rebounds with two steals in almost 19 minutes of action.
Jalalon said he’s ready to step up any time in his rebirth of sorts.
“They (coaches) are looking (if I need minutes restrictions). It’s the coaches’ decision what their plan for me will be,” Jalalon said.
“For me, I’m ready, whatever their plans are.”