Barely 24 hours before the start of the PBA’s 50th season, teams were still not done shoring up their respective rosters and pulling off last-minute surprises.
TNT was the latest squad to make a key addition just before the opening of Asia’s pioneering professional league’s new season, tapping the services of veteran guard Jio Jalalon to beef up the guard rotation of the talent-laden Tropang 5G.
On Saturday, Jalalon signed a one-year deal with TNT as confirmed by team manager Jojo Lastimosa and long-time basketball agent, Danny Espiritu, who represented the cager during the signing of contract.
Immediately, Jalalon joined the Tropang 5G during the meet up with the fans held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
According to Lastimosa, Jalalon will move up to the regular roster to take over the spot of Almond Vosotros. The addition of the former Arellano University guard will allow him to reunite with his former Gilas Pilipinas teammates Roger Pogoy and Kevin Ferrer, who was also recruited by the Tropang 5G in the off season.
Jalalon’s inclusion proved to be timely as well, especially since veteran star point guard Jayson Castro is still recuperating from an ACL injury.
Like TNT, Converge, Rain or Shine and Terrafirma also made changes on their respective rosters in time for the season opener.
The FiberXers and the Elasto Painters agreed on a deal that would send the rights of second round pick Mark Omega to Converge for its future second round pick.
Terrafirma came to terms with Jerrick Ahanmisi, whose rights were acquired by the Dyip from the Magnolia Hotshots in the off season.
A former Adamson shooting guard, the younger brother of veteran guard Mav Ahanmisi signed a one-season deal with the Dyip. The younger Ahanmisi was part of the deal that sent Javi Gomez de Liano to the Hotshots during the off season.
