BY DOM LONZO AND HAREL FELICIANO
Jalen Salon’s story is one of perseverance and resilience, full of obstacles and storms, before the rainbows and sunshines. Not your typical “college to pro” story.
In 2017, Jalen decided to move back to the Philippines to pursue his hoop dreams. Due to residency issues and growing up in Australia, Jalen, despite his talent, was unable to compete in NCAA and instead played for the La Salle Greenhills Team B. Shortly after, Jalen was diagnosed with Myocarditis and was medically advised that he was unable to play for six months. Despite his condition and heart problems, Jalen’s love for the game triumphed, sneaking in gym workouts and training, and playing streetball only a couple months into his diagnosis.
Jalen’s dad which is also his coach (MIC TRAINING), a foundational part of Jalen’s life as well as his love for the game, managed to get Jalen in a position to train with UST. Once he was medically cleared, in which he was offered a scholarship on the spot. Due to his condition, which took a detour on his journey for six months, he was only able to join UST as a training player as the team was already set.
Fast forward to the following year, Jalen was able to make it and compete in UAAP, but following Jalen’s misfortune, it dawned to be the same year as COVID, crashing down Jalen’s hoop dreams. With the basketball scene pausing in the Philippines in 2020, Jalen decided to shortly move back to Australia.
In Australia, Jalen started to build his name and reputation, carrying and representing his Filipino identity with him wherever he went. Jalen progressed greatly as a player, breaking barriers and expectations of what a Filipino hooper is, being in Australia. Jalen played in the Youth league in Big V for a season, as well as competing in big streetball tournaments such as Summer Jam, Elevate League, ShooterShoot, among others. Jalen was also able to experience playing in NBL1, Australia’s premier basketball league during the pre-season.
All these hardships led to a thriving career playing semi-pro hoops in Australia.
What was your perception of Filipino basketball growing up and how did it meet or not meet your expectations when you played hoops in Manila?
Growing up here in Australia, I didn’t know what to expect of basketball in the Philippines. I was fortunate enough to have my pops tell me his experiences. So I had somewhat of an idea of what to expect… When I hooped in the Philippines, physicality was the most expected. Aside from basketball, I also had my mum help navigate through the environment and culture of the Philippines. Without my parents, I wouldn’t have been able to prepare for what it’s like over there.
How does basketball as a sport and game mean more to you as you navigate adulthood?
As I navigate through adulthood, I thank God for the path He has taken me with basketball. He taught me many things through it, especially patience. I learned to show up everyday and be patient for opportunities. Show up day by day, even through the storm. Everyone loves sunny days, but can you stand the rain?
Aside from basketball. What values and hoops do you bring off court as you relate to people outside the court like friends and family?
One of the main values that I learned from basketball is being a leader, because I’m a point guard myself. That being said, I see myself as a captain on the court. I’m an older brother to my sister “Jaz,” so I’ve naturally always been a leader. Being a floor general on the court has helped me so much off the court with my relationship with others. But before I lead, I make sure that I’m also someone who people can look up to or follow.
What would you like to see more of in Melbourne?
I would love to see more Filipinos step out of their comfort zone and play in leagues like the NBL, NBL1 and BIG V. I love the Filipino leagues but I would love to see more of us strive to the big leagues! For that to happen, I would recommend my fellow Filipino’s here in Melbourne to get quality training in MIC TRAINING. Together we will challenge each other to be better as iron sharpens iron!
What kind of impact would you like to have in the Filipino community in Australia?
As one of the representatives of Filipinos playing basketball at a high level, I would like to inspire the Filipino community to chase their dreams (not only in basketball). See I’m not the tallest on the court but if you see the way I work and my hunger to go out there and battle the game of giants, you’ll see the Glory of God. I’ll inspire them the same way David defeated Goliath. A miracle, Amen.
I feel like a lot of Filipinos have this mentality that “a foreigner is better than our kind,” So we never really fight. So instead we hide and just play in Filipino leagues and in our own little leagues. But I think we should expand and actually get better as a community. So that way we can have more Filipinos representing us. That way we have more of us play in the pros and the big leagues.
How did basketball shape your identity?
Basketball didn’t shape my identity, I’d say that my identity shaped the way I hoop. Outside of basketball, I love fashion, music, dancing, skating etc. My hobbies outside of basketball have taught me to be free spirited and just flow. When you feel free outside of basketball, you’ll get into that flow state and when you’re in that state no one can stop you. I feel like the way you play or train in basketball says a lot about your character outside of hoops.
