Jio Jalalon and Kevin Ferrer were both in the same draft class in 2016 when they were chosen through a special round for members of the Gilas Pilipinas pool.
The feeling of being a rookie was something they also felt on Friday when they began their stints for the TNT Tropang 5G, whose winning culture seemed to have revitalized the two players after enduring hard times last season. ‘It’s a different aura here at TNT. You can feel that everyone here wants to win,’ Jalalon said in Filipino after Friday’s 93-78 victory orchestrated by TNT over Phoenix at Ynares Center II here.
Jalalon had four points, seven rebounds and two assists in 24 minutes off the bench in his debut that also served like a feeling out period for the pesky guard, who last year’s lone season with NorthPort was marred by injuries.
The Tropang 5G picked up Jalalon last weekend after Titan Ultra, which took over the NorthPort franchise, did not offer a contract after a 30-day period.
‘Once I wore my jersey, I felt like a rookie again,’ he said. ‘This was something I didn’t felt last year when I played my first game for NorthPort.’ Jalalon played eight seasons with Magnolia under the trade to NorthPort was consummated in 2024. He was used to being in the playoffs in every conference, and playing high-profile games against powerhouse teams like TNT and Barangay Ginebra.
Ginebra was Ferrer’s first PBA employment, and had enjoyed multiple championships until he went to NorthPort and later Terrafirma, where injuries and struggles affected the former University of Santo Tomas star’s confidence.
TNT grabbed Ferrer after being left out as a free agent by Terrafirma, describing his entry to the Tropang 5G camp as a chance to ‘bring back the old Kevin Ferrer.’
His own TNT debut resulted in a good starting point, connecting on back-to-back triples that enabled them to create separation from Phoenix in the third with a 63-54 lead.
He finished with 12 points on four three-point shots in 17 minutes. ‘It’s fun. It’s like being a rookie again,’ Ferrer said. ‘The energy was there and it was a good result.’
Ferrer could also feel a sense of satisfaction that his effort, both on the court and on the road didn’t go to waste, having travelled four hours from his home in Paranaque for his first TNT appearance.
There’s a long way to go for two to get fully accustomed as the Tropang 5G look to build on the win that put their quest to rebound from last season’s Philippine Cup Finals defeat off and running.