Unlikely hero: Jansen Rios helps keep Meralco alive against Ginebra
At A Glance
- Jansen Rios rose to the occasion and became the hero that Meralco desperately needed in Game 2 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Barangay Ginebra on Friday, Feb. 7.
By JADEN ALBERTO, Intern
Jansen Rios rose to the occasion and became the hero that Meralco desperately needed in Game 2 of their PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals series against Barangay Ginebra on Friday, Feb. 7.

With streaky scorer Chris Banchero playing limited minutes due to foul trouble, head coach Luigi Trillo trusted Rios to step up and break out of his usual backup role.
In 25 minutes of action, Rios scored 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 clip from the field to support the Bolts in their 108-104 victory that forced them a do-or-die Game 3.
None of what Rios was able to do was just pure luck, and Trillo raved about how proud he is of his ward, attributing Rios’ work ethic and dedication as the reasons for his success despite being waived by his previous teams.
“Maganda yung istorya ni Jansen kasi kung isipin mo, he was in two teams na tinanggal na siya. So, he’s almost like a walk in sa amin. We’re proud about guys like Jansen kasi parang he’s a Meralco employee. They put their hard hats on, mahirap yung mga trabaho ng linemen, [and] he’s the same way,” said the champion coach.
“He’s come a long way. You [walk] into the gym, he’s one of the first guys there in the gym shooting. Kung call time namin 2 [to] 3 hours he’s there already, and he’s a testament to what hard work can do,” he added.
Rios said after all the challenges he has faced, he makes sure that he stays ready for whatever opportunity he can get by always putting in the extra work before and during practice, driven by the support of his family as well as his newborn baby.
“Kung anong binibigay sa akin ng mga coaches, talagang pinagtatrabahuhan ko lang tsaka siguro sa ngayon sobrang inspired talaga ako dahil sa family ko sa baby ko,” said the former Adamson Soaring Falcon.