I remember first hearing the name Jakol during last year's collegiate tournaments, and honestly, I didn't pay much attention at the time. But watching his recent performances, particularly how he's been instrumental in Nxled's unprecedented 3-0 start this PVL season, I've become genuinely fascinated by his rapid ascent. The transformation from a relatively unknown player to someone who's now consistently making headlines represents one of those sports stories I find particularly compelling. What strikes me most about Jakol isn't just his raw talent—though he certainly has plenty—but the mental toughness he's displayed during this crucial preseason period.
When I analyze players, I always look beyond the statistics, though Jakol's numbers are certainly impressive. In their opening match against the defending champions, he recorded 18 points with a 65% shooting accuracy, followed by 22 points in their second game, and then a near-perfect defensive performance with 4 blocks in their third outing. But what the numbers don't show is his court vision, which I consider among the best I've seen in recent years. His ability to read the game several moves ahead reminds me of seasoned veterans who've played twice as long. During that critical third set against the Solar Spikers, when Nxled was trailing by 6 points, it was Jakol's back-to-back steals that completely shifted the momentum. That kind of game-changing presence is something you can't teach—players either have it or they don't.
I've followed the PVL for over a decade now, and what makes Jakol's story particularly interesting to me is his unconventional path to professional basketball. Unlike many players who come through established collegiate programs, he developed his skills in smaller leagues before getting his break. His coach mentioned in a recent interview that Jakol spends at least two extra hours daily working on his free throws alone—a dedication I rarely see in younger players. This work ethic shows in his performance under pressure; his 92% free throw percentage in the final minutes of close games demonstrates remarkable composure for someone with only 28 professional games under his belt.
The way Jakol has integrated into Nxled's system fascinates me from a tactical perspective. Coach Dimaculangan has built this team around ball movement and defensive intensity, and Jakol fits perfectly into that philosophy. What I particularly admire is his unselfish play—he averages 5.2 assists per game while still maintaining his scoring output. In today's basketball where everyone wants to be the star, his team-first mentality is refreshing. During their second game, I noticed him repeatedly passing up good shots to create great ones for his teammates, something that immediately earned my respect as someone who values basketball IQ above flashy plays.
What really convinces me about Jakol's potential for stardom isn't just his current performance but how he's improving game by game. Between the first and third matches, his defensive rotations have become sharper, his decision-making quicker, and his leadership more vocal. I was watching from courtside during their last game, and his communication with teammates during timeouts showed a level of basketball understanding that typically takes years to develop. At just 22 years old, his ceiling appears incredibly high, and if he maintains this growth trajectory, I genuinely believe we're looking at a future national team player.
The preseason success has created this interesting dynamic where Jakol is suddenly becoming the face of the franchise, something I've seen overwhelm younger players in the past. But from what I've observed, he's handling the attention with remarkable maturity. During post-game interviews, he consistently deflects praise to his teammates and coaches, showing a humility that's become increasingly rare in modern sports. This attitude, combined with his undeniable talent, makes me think he's built for long-term success rather than being just another flash in the pan.
As someone who's witnessed numerous "next big things" come and go in Philippine volleyball, I'm typically cautious about early hype. But Jakol feels different. His game has few obvious weaknesses, his work ethic appears exceptional, and most importantly, he seems to genuinely love the process of improvement. Watching him study game footage with assistants after practice or working on specific moves hours after everyone has left tells me this isn't just about natural ability—it's about dedication to craft. In my years covering sports, I've learned that this combination of talent and relentless work is what separates good players from truly great ones.
Nxled's perfect start certainly can't be attributed to just one player, but Jakol's emergence as a consistent performer has undoubtedly been the catalyst. The way he's elevated his game to match the moment reminds me of other great athletes I've watched develop over the years. While it's still early in the season, and I'm careful not to get carried away with preseason performances, something tells me we're witnessing the beginning of a special career. The basketball world should take notice—Jakol isn't just having a good start; he's showing all the signs of a player destined for stardom.
