Jielo Razon made sure to go out with a bang in his final game with the University of Perpetual Help after steering the Altas to a 75-60 victory over San Sebastian in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The 24-year-old dribbler saved his best performance for last, firing a season-high 26 points spiked by three straight triples that sparked the Altas to close out their season on a high note.

Not known to many, the graduating senior was actually drawing strength from a negative experience he had in high school.

“Pagka-graduate ko ng high school, pumunta na ako sa Perpetual, hindi ko na ime-mention ‘yong coach, pero sabi nya sa akin na ayaw niya sa akin kasi nung nag-try out ako sa college, sabi nya ‘too small’ daw ako at saka payat,” Razon admitted.

It was actually Perpetual’s present head coach Myk Saguiguit who talked to him and encouraged him to pursue his collegiate career.

“Kinausap ako ni coach Myk (Saguiguit), tapos sabi nya, ‘Wala ‘yon, huwag mo pakinggan ‘yon kasi alam ko ‘yong abilidad mo,” he said.

“Pero tumatak ‘yon sa isip ko hanggang ngayon.”

Razon proved his critics wrong by showing he has what it takes to make it to the collegiate ranks, which he hoped he could bring in his next endeavor – to become a pro.

“Hopefully makapag-pro. Ayan naman ang pangarap ng mga nagba-basketball dito sa Pinas,” Razon said.

He may not have led Perpetual to this season’s Final Four, but Razon said he was thankful to be part of the community he considered as family.

“Kulang siguro yung salitang thank you, kasi grabe sila sumuporta. Sa school palang grabe ‘yang Perpetualite, sana ituloy-tuloy nila [ang pagsuporta] sa mga susunod pang mga seasons at next generation,”
he said.