University of Perpetual Help System Dalta gunner Jielo Razon was off to a sizzling start in the NCAA Season 98, dropping 13 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal in their opening game win against Jose Rizal University last September 11.
But two games since then, the 23-year-old guard saw a dip in his numbers in their back-to-back losses to Arellano University and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.
Against the Chiefs, Razon only collected three points, four rebounds, and three assists while grabbing just two markers, one board, and two steals against the Blazers.
According to Perpetual head coach Myk Saguiguit, Razon then got a call from team manager Anton Tamayo following two off games from their star court general.
Fortunately, that pep talk bore fruit as Razon finally regained his touch in their 79-77 escape of last season's finalist Mapua University last Friday as they improved to 2-2.
"Sabi ko sa kanya, dito sa team ba natin may nagbabawal ba sa 'yo kung ano 'yung ginagawa mo? Kasi last three games namin, he cannot hit his shots," Saguiguit said in the post-game interview.
"Sabi ko sa kanya, 'pag binigyan siya ng open look, walang magagalit sa 'yo rito, tumira ka lang. Tsaka napaganda 'yung tawag sa kanya ni boss Anton kasi tinawag siya eh, nag-on-on-one sila, kinausap siya so maganda para sa kanya. Big game sa kanya."
Razon was among the leading scorers in their upset of the Cardinals as he finished with an all-round stat line of 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals to help veteran Kim Aurin lift the Altas.
With Razon finally finding his rhythm back, Perpetual was snapped its two-game slump while dealing Mapua its third straight loss on the game-winning triple of John Abis late in the fourth.
"Sabi ko sa kanila, knock out game kasi if we lost against Mapua, lalalim kami. Ang hirap naman na mag-1-3 ka kasi lahat ng standings ngayon ay dikit-dikit eh so sabi ko we cannot afford to lose this game," Saguiguit said.
"Kung gusto niyong mag-enjoy sa season na 'to, ayaw niyong mapunta sa stressed season, manalo kayo against Mapua. I'm very happy na binigay 'yung tira ni Abis."
—MGP, GMA News
