TNT finally signed Jio Jalalon to a contract after he was not offered an extension by Titan Ultra, the new team that took over the franchise of NorthPort.
Jalalon inked on the dotted line before his agent Danny Espiritu and Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa, finding a PBA team on the eve of the 50th season opener.
His move to TNT has been an open secret for weeks after Jalalon was spotted taking part in practices. Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes said Jalalon was free to try out after his NorthPort contract expired last Aug. 31.
But Jalalon had to wait before he could become an unrestricted free agent as NorthPort, later Titan Ultra after the PBA approved Pureblends Corporation’s franchise acquisition, was given a 30-day period to make an offer.
NorthPort was supposed to actually trade Jalalon to Blackwater for Justin Chua but the league scrapped the proposed deal due to a moratorium related to the pending Pureblends purchase.
Titan Ultra, however, opted otherwise until the period lapsed after Sept. 30, opening the door for Jalalon to go to any team he chooses.
Jalalon is the latest free agent to join a TNT side eager to build on its near-Grand Slam season after the Tropang 5G signed Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill in the offseason.
He also bolsters a loaded backcourt composed of Jordan Heading, RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac and veteran Jayson Castro.
The Tropang 5G are Jalalon’s third team in a PBA career that began in 2016 with Magnolia. He joined NorthPort last season in a multi-player trade that sent Zavier Lucero to the Hotshots.