Jayboy Solis made quite an impression as a rookie in the Lakan Season of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) after he ranked second among the top shot blockers with an average of 2.07 denials per game. However, he still has an unfinished business in the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) which he wants to accomplish before he waves goodbye to his collegiate playing years.
He wants to win a UCBL championship. Frankly, he almost did last December 2019 but his team squandered a golden opportunity to bag the basketball crown.
In the finals opener, Jayboy Solis drained 21 points on top of five (5) rebounds and two (2) assists to lead Olivarez College Sea Lions to a 64-62 squeaker past the Diliman Colleges Blue Dragons. It was also on the same game where he received his award as the season's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.
The Blue Dragons, however, staged a resounding comeback after drubbing Olivarez College, 82-72, in the next game to even the series at 1-apiece and force a deciding game three (3). As a result, the Sea Lion's chance to break its Finals curse after losing in two (2) previous tries dwindled.
History, somehow, was not on the Sea Lion's side. Jayboy Solis who was expected to carry the Sea Lions in the rubber match unfortunately fell ill on game day. Nonetheless, Jayboy played through a 39.5 degree fever to help his team in any way he can but his MVP form was nowhere to be found. He was held scoreless in twelve (12) minutes of playing time.
"Nagkasakit ako nung game 3, umabot ng 39.5 yung body temperature ko. Pinilit ko pa ring maglaro, syempre gusto ko pa ring manalo, gustong gusto. Sinabihan ko coach namin na ipasok ako baka sakaling may maitulong ako kahit masama pakiramdam ko, said Jayboy Solis in a chat interview with Ligang Pinoy ."
The Blue Dragons ended that season as the first back-to-back champions of the UCBL. Conversely, the Sea Lions are the first back-to-back second placers. Such distinction is not something to be most proud of, but Jayboy is taking it in strides. He learned a painful lesson which can boost his maturity.
"Natutunan ko sa finals na yun ay huwag mag-relax hangga't hindi pa nakukuha yung kampyonato kasi parang nag-relax din noong nanalo kami sa game 1, lamented Jayboy Solis."
As he still has one playing year left in the UCBL, Jayboy Solis vows to capture the very first UCBL championship trophy for his team. That is why he maximized his playing time in the MPBL during the Lakan Season to sharpen his craft and elevate his maturity which he believes is important in order not to be bullied by older and tougher players.
"Para sa akin yung na-improve ko siguro after ng MPBL ay yung maturity ko. Syempre sa collegiate league pa lang nilalaruan kaya ayun, para sa akin kailangan ko din maging matured para hindi ako ma-bully sa loob ng court, explained Jayboy Solis."
Judging, however, on his game statistics, it appears Jayboy Solis was the bully inside the paint. As already mentioned, he was the second best shot blocker just behind recent Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draftee Aris Dionisio. He even outshone veteran bigmen Jayson Grimaldo, Larry Rodriguez and Robbie Celiz in the blocking department although he was just a rookie.
The 6'4 forward thinks there's really no secret in getting blocks. For him, it's just a matter of reading the move of your opponent and properly timing your jump. Perhaps Jayboy Solis acquired such skills from playing volleyball during his elementary school days.
"Para sa akin kasi, timing lang din sa dedepensahan mo tapos basa lang din sa galaw ng mga kalaban."
While he takes pride in his accomplishment in the defensive end, Jayboy Solis also wants to improve the other facet of his game so that he can help the Parañaque Patriots reach the playoffs after a dismal fourteenth (14th) place finish in the North Division with an 8-22 record. In particular, he wants to be a better dribbler to make him more effective driving to the basket and in leading fastbreaks. For sure, that would make him a lethal scorer and maybe he can raise his scoring output from the current 8.9 a game to a double-digit average.
In order to achieve his desired competence, Jayboy Solis is putting his time and effort to where it matters. Before the Enhanced Community Quarantine, he normally practiced twice or even thrice a day. He attends the trainings of Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-league then join the scrimmage for the Parañaque Patriots.
With the numbers posted by Jayboy Solis in the recent season of the MPBL, it's quite surprising that he was overlooked by teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The athletic forward who learned to play basketball when he was 10 years old first tried out with Olivarez College after graduating from Camiling National High School. He actually transferred to the University of Perpetual Help on his third year but he failed to crack the lineup, hence he returned to Olivarez College.
In order to achieve his desired competence, Jayboy Solis is putting his time and effort to where it matters. Before the Enhanced Community Quarantine, he normally practiced twice or even thrice a day. He attends the trainings of Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA D-league then join the scrimmage for the Parañaque Patriots.
"Ako kasi tatlo o dalawa practice ko sa isang araw, yung sa Marinero tapos sa Patriots. Kaya sa isang araw bali apat na oras ensayo ko. Sa OC naman, di na ako minsan pinapasabay ni coach, shared Jayboy Solis."
With the numbers posted by Jayboy Solis in the recent season of the MPBL, it's quite surprising that he was overlooked by teams in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The athletic forward who learned to play basketball when he was 10 years old first tried out with Olivarez College after graduating from Camiling National High School. He actually transferred to the University of Perpetual Help on his third year but he failed to crack the lineup, hence he returned to Olivarez College.
"Naghahanap noon ng player si Coach Nap Garcia. Tapos sinama naman ako ng isang player pa dito. Ayun, nakipagsapalaran ako sa Manila, sumama ako kay coach Nap, dinala niya ako sa OC, recalled Jayboy Solis."
"Dati noong third year ako sa OC, lumipat ako ng Perps. Ayun, hindi pinalad doon kaya bumalik ako ng OC ngayon, added Jayboy Solis."
Overall, the 23-year old rookie finds his tour of duty in the MPBL as fun while challenging at the same time since he has to battle against grizzled veterans. In the process, he also acquired some "veteran moves".
"Masaya as a rookie tapos nakaka-challenge yung kalaban kasi nga mas malalaki na katawan sa MPBL tapos mas beterano din kalaban doon. Ginagamitan ko na din ng gulang minsan para di ako mabangga, answered Jayboy Solis when asked how's his experience so far in the MPBL."
At his age, Jayboy Solis is yet to reach his full potential. Ultimately, he dreams of playing in the PBA but he has to fulfill his one last mission in the UCBL first- capture the Championship crown.
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