Even though it was late in the season, Jio Jalalon was happy to see Calvin Abueva again at NorthPort.

After the transaction with Magnolia last week that involved rising forward William Navarro, the annoying guard said that he was ecstatic to hear that “The Beast” was about to join the Batang Pier.

Along with Abueva, NorthPort also acquired Jerrick Balanza and a potential second-round pick from Magnolia.

Jalalon said, “Honestly, masaya kasi alam ko naman paano maglaro si Calvin. Thankful na nadagdag siya dito sa NorthPort kasi nakakahawa naman talaga yung energy niya lalo na pag nasa court na siya,”

However, NorthPort did not get the desired result as they lost to Phoenix 118-107 in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena, extending their losing streak to eight games (1-8) overall.

In his debut for the Batang Pier, Abueva ended with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists.

Jalalon finished with seven points on three of four shots, six rebounds, and six assists.

After playing together for Magnolia for the previous four years, where they made it to the finals twice but lost both times, this was the first time Jalalon and Abueva had played together this season.

Before Season 49 began, Jalalon and Abu Tratter were the first to be traded for big player Zavier Lucero.

The two are now back together as a single squad.

Actually, it’s a reunion for Balanza as well as Jalalon and Abueva.

The three former Magnolia players still have two games left to play together: on June 11 at Ninoy Aquino Stadium against NLEX, and on June 15 at Antipolo’s Ynares Center against San Miguel.

On the other hand, after making his debut as head coach of the Gilas Pilipinas Youth team, which secured a spot in the FIBA U16 Asia Cup, LA Tenorio is back with Barangay Ginebra.

As Tim Cone and his coaching staff looked for a way to get him back into the starting lineup, the Kings were unable to activate him immediately.
According to Cone, the 40-year-old veteran is currently serving as a bench warmer for the coaching staff.

“We have this week to figure out what we’re gonna do with that,”  remarked Cone of Tenorio, who watched Sunday’s PBA Philippine Cup victory over Magnolia 85-81 but did not play.

The Kings won’t play again until Sunday when they play the undefeated TNT Tropang 5G in a Commissioner’s Cup Finals rematch at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Tenorio, who wore the coaching staff’s black shirt when he arrived, was demoted by the team more than a month ago to the Unrestricted Free Agent list (with pay rights) so that he could concentrate on his first full-time coaching position with the national youth team.

Tenorio was replaced on the active roster by backup guard Jayson David, who Cone stated will remain in the Ginebra lineup. David is 28 years old.

Tenorio would probably return to action in the playoffs, where Ginebra has already secured a spot thanks to their victory over Magnolia.

However, Tenorio’s importance to the Ginebra franchise is undeniable.

“He means a lot to the organization, he means a lot to the coaching staff, he means a lot to his teammates,” Cone, his longtime team captain, stated.