Jio Jalalon rocks Dumaguete as Magnolia clobbers ROS for win no. 9 in PBA on Tour

Jio Jalalon was a man on a mission down south. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Jio Jalalon caught fire in Dumaguete and led Magnolia to a 103-88 Saturday night win against Rain Or Shine to stay undefeated in the PBA on Tour.

In what could be the de facto final of the preseason event, Jalalon, more known as a pass-first point guard, played like his Arellano King Chief self as he led the Hotshots in scoring with 24 points.

Moreso, Jalalon spearheaded their patented lockdown defense on the Elasto Painters with five of their eight total steals.

Magnolia countered ROS's offensive brilliance in the first quarter with a solid second-quarter defense where the former outscored the latter, 30-15, to overturn an 18-27 deficit to a 48-42 halftime lead.

Both teams went on an offensive onslaught in the third quarter, but the Hotshots' defense held forth anew in the fourth after holding the E-Painters to just 16 points the rest of the way.

Jalalon also had three rebounds and seven assists as Magnolia moved up to 9-0 in the PBA on Tour even as Jerrick Ahanmisi fired four triples for 18 points with one rebound, two assists, and one steal.

Jhonard Clarito led ROS, which fell to 6-2, with 17 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and five steals.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno