(L) Paul Lee with wife, Rubie, and daughter Tokyo. (R) Jio Jalalon with daughter Skyla. (MB photo | Rio Deluvio)

by Waylon Galvez

For Paul Lee and Jio Jalalon, this could be the best Christmas ever.

Lee and Jalalon helped Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok capture the PBA Governors’ Cup last week, the franchise’s 14th overall title and first in four years since the team completed the Grand Slam in 2014.

The two are also first-time fathers – Lee’s wife, Rubie, gave birth last September to a baby girl they named Tokyo, while Jalalon and his fiancée, Tina, welcomed baby girl Skyla on the same month.

“It’s a very special Christmas for me and Jio,” said Lee, who likewise captured his first Best Player of the Conference (BPC) award as he edged San Miguel Beer center Christian Standhardinger and Alaska Chris Banchero.

“For me… everything is first – first baby, first BPC and first championship with Magnolia. So this is really a special Christmas, basketball-wise and personal,” said Lee, who also played for the national team this year.

The title is Lee’s first since he joined the San Miguel Corporation-owned franchise following a one-on-one trade that sent two-time MVP James Yap to Rain or Shine.

Lee struggled in his first season with Magnolia due to injuries but worked his way back to his deadly form. He helped the team to a second place finish in the Philippine Cup before reaching the peak in the third and last conference.

The championship is also a first for Jalalon after Magnolia tabbed him during the Special Rookie Draft from the Gilas Pilipinas cadet pool prior to last season.

Jalalon formed a dreaded backcourt triumvirate with Lee and Mark Barroca – the PBA Press Corps Finals MVP – that powered the ballclub to the title, a first for coach Chito Victolero.

“This is really memorable for many of us. This is my first PBA title, first for Paul since he joined the team, first for coach Chito and several other players. It’s a special Christmas gift for all of us,” said Jalalon in Filipino.

The celebration will continue until the first week of January, but Lee and Jalalon understand that once they resume training for the Philippine Cup, it’s back to the drawing board for Magnolia for the 44th season which starts January 13.

“We savor the victory, and also the holiday season. After that, it’s back to work. The Philippine Cup is coming and we want to contend again for the championship,” said Lee.

Tags: Christian Standhardinger , Governors’ Cup , Jio Jalalon , Magnolia , Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok , Paul Lee , PBA , Philippine Cup