Jeff Tajonera did not expect that he would come out of semi-retirement from competitive basketball to play in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). Just when he thought that his playing career was already done and that he should focus on his coaching gig, an unexpected opportunity came knocking at his door.
When news came that the city of Imus in Cavite is looking for players who will represent the said city in the fast-growing MPBL, Jeff Tajonera grab the opportunity without any hesitation so he prepared for the tryout even though he was already an assistant coach with the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in General Trias City, Cavite.
"Noong nalaman kong sasali ang Imus sa MPBL, naghanda na ako para mag tryout. At nung nakuha ako, sobrang saya at blessed sa pakiramdam kasi noong time na yun ay assistant coach na ako sa LPU General Trias. Akala ko kasi ay tapos na yung playing career ko at di na ako makakabalik sa paglalaro. Kaya noong pipirma na kami ng contrata, iba ang pakiramdam kasi nga nakabalik na ako sa sobrang minahal ko na basketball, and at the same time may work pa ako. Iba yung dating this time kasi taga Cavite ako. Lagi naman nasa utak ko na kada laro, dapat bigay mo best mo, pero this time, higit sa Best yung ibibigay mo kasi team ng Imus, pride ito ng mga taga Cavite, said Jeff Tajonera in a chat interview with I'm A Baller Reload Facebook Page.
In his first season with the Imus Bandera during the Datu Cup in 2018, the 6'4 Jeff Tajonera became a key piece in the team's rotation, especially inside the paint. He averaged 1.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.6 minutes of playing time per game. Jeff Tajonera increased his production in the succeeding season or the Datu Cup.
Jeff Tajonera, however, was unexpectedly traded by Imus Bandera to the San Juan Knights in the middle of the Datu Cup. In the seven (7) games that he played for the Banderas, Jeff Tajonera logged an average per game of 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds.
The trade proved to be a blessing for Jeff Tajonera. As a backup center behind Larry Rodriguez, Jeff Tajonera contributed an average of 1.2 points a game and 1.1 boards each outing. Don't let his numbers fool you though. Jeff Tajonera's capability to hit three (3) point shots made him a stretch big man that can space the floor and allow the slashers of San Juan Knights like Mike Ayonayon to attack.
The Datu Cup was a season to remember for Jeff Tajonera. After a grueling season and a thrilling championship series, the San Juan Knights edged the Davao Occidental Tigers, 3-2, in their series to bring home the 24-karat gold championship trophy which is reportedly worth ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00).
"One day, nalaman kong nasa trade list ako. Sa totoo lang, nagulat ako kasi Captain Ball ako ng team at nag papanalo ang team ng season na yun, kaya kumbaga hindi ko sya inaasahan. Pero inisip ko na lang na ganun talaga ang buhay ng players at naisip ko nangyari yon dahil may dahilan. At yun nga, na trade ako at napunta ako sa San Juan Knights. Hindi ko inaasahan na blessing yung nangyari sa akin dahil nakasama pa ako na nag-Champion, kaya sobra sobrang pasasalamat ko kay Lord," recalled Jeff Tajonera.
Jeff Tajonera and the San Juan Knights were able to return to the national championship in the following season or the Lakan Cup (2019-2020) which was suspended for a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They again faced the Davao Occidental Tigers in a much anticipated rematch between the two juggernauts of their respective division.
His dream of another championship title, unfortunately, was dashed when Mark Yee dropped a dagger three to win the championship for the Davao Occidental Tigers. While the bitter memory of their recent loss to the Tigers still linger, Jeff Tajonera is still thankful for what he had achieved in his basketball journey.
Perhaps winning the MPBL National Championship Trophy is the biggest achievement of Jeff Tajonera in his long basketball career. For someone who started playing basketball late, it is indeed a notable accomplishment.
Jeff Tajonera started his basketball journey when he was already a fourteen (14) year old kid in his hometown of Bacoor city, Cavite due to the influence of his older brothers and his friends. Giving in to the pressure from his peers was a good influence after all as Jeff Tajonera was able to earn a spot in the varsity team of his high school.
"Nagsimula akong magbasketball sa Bacoor at nasa 14 years old na ako noong time na yun. Halos lahat kasi ng tropa ko at kuya ko ay naglalaro ng basketball ball kaya nahawa na din ako. Yung first time ko na makapaglaro sa school ay yung intrams sa Bacoor National High School. Then one day my tryout para sa representative ng school namin, at pumunta ako para subukan and swerte naman dahil nakuha ako hanggang umabot ako sa Bacoor Meet," recalled Jeff Tajonera.
More opportunities opened up for Jeff Tajonera as he was scouted and recruited by coach Benjo Viola, the coach of Saint Francis of Assisi College (SFAC) Bacoor campus. Heeding the invite of coach Benjo, Jeff Tajonera went to SFAC for a tryout which he eventually passed.
Jeff Tajonera admits that he was still a project when he tried out with SFAC but he had a gift that a few has- the gift of height. As they always say, you cannot teach height.
"Noong Bacoor Meet, nakita ako nila Coach Benjo Viola ng SFAC Bacoor. Yung scout ng SFAC main kinausap ako if gusto ko ba daw mag try out sa knila pagkatapos ng Bacoor Meet. Nagpunta naman ako pa subukan ulit and awa naman ni Lord nakuha ako sa SFAC Main. Doon ko naging coach si Coach Tope Villamayor. Malaking pasasalamat ko kay Coach kasi isa siya sa nag tiyagang nagturo sa akin kung paano talaga mag laro ng basketball. Noong dumating kasi ako sa SFAC, hindi naman talaga ako marunong, medyo malake lng talaga ako. Kay Coach ko natutunan yung huwag susuko kahit nahihirapan ka na. During my stay sa SFAC, na blessed kami ni Lord ng Back to Back Champion sa NCRAA Juniors," added Jeff Tajonera.
After graduating from High School, Jeff Tajonera initially tried out with the Mapua Cardinals. Although he did get in, Jeff did not return to Mapua as he chose to train with San Sebastian. But while he was training with the San Sebastian Stags, he was recruited by Adamson University which is a team playing in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)- his dream collegiate league.
"Actually, bago ako napunta sa Adamson, nag try out muna ako sa Mapua. Kinuha naman nila ako, pero di ako bumalik kasi mas pinili ko ang San Sebastian at doon nag ensayo ako ng ilang buwan. Then one day, tumawag sa akin yung Coach ng Adamson kung gusto ko daw mag tryout sa kanila. Ako naman nagpunta ako kasi pangarap ko din talaga makapaglaro ng UAAP. Nang malaman ko na nakuha ako sa ADU sobrang saya ko at ng pamilya ko, hindi ko mai-describe yung feeling ko noong time na yun."
Jeff Tajonera finished his five (5) year collegiate eligibility with the Adamson Falcons. After his collegiate stint, he then took his talent to various leagues such as NBC, Liga Pilipinas, PCBL, PBL, and now the MPBL. While he did not play in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Jeff Tajonera has nothing but thanks to God and to all those who supported him along the way.
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