Magnolia Hotshots guard Jio Jalalon’s path to greatness was littered with potholes but the Cagayan de Oro-native recalled how he willing he was to do anything to pursue his basketball dream.

That included hanging on to jeepneys for rides to tryout sessions back when he was still a relative unknown who was trying to get a basketball scholarship in Manila. After his first tryout stint failed, Jalalon said he was beside himself as to what his next step was.

“Di ko alam kung saan ko dadalhin sarili ko,” shared Jalalon during his appearance on the MVP Sports Foundation Youth League’s Idol Talk last Saturday.

He added that he was advised to try out at Informatics College. However, with his resources dwindling down to nothing, Jalalon said he had to hang on to jeepneys just to get to the try out venue.

“Pag tryout namin sa Informatics, wala na kasi kaming pera. Sumasabit kami sa jeep sa Manila kasi wala na talagang pera kahit pangkain,” said Jalalon.

No matter how tough things were at that time, Jalalon said he didn’t want to give up and make his way back home to Cagayan de Oro.

“Naisip ko lang talaga na ayaw ko umuwi. Ito na yun eh. Ito na yung daan papunta sa dream ko, na gusto ko ipakita na mayroon talaga akong talent,” Jalalon added.

That gamble on himself proved to be the right one Jalalon went on to have successful stints in Informatics College and then, Arellano University in the NCAA before he was picked by Magnolia in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in the 2016 draft. (JNP)