No easy journey for Pao Javelona as ex-NU stalwart recalls time in the reserves

When you are at the bottom, the only way for you is to go up. Nothing else.

That is what the mantra of Paolo Javelona when he stepped foot on the floor, with the trials of not being into the varsity right away strengthened not just his game, but also his resolve that got him into places ever since.

The guard was on deck on Friday's Off the Record with Migs Bustos alongside La Salle's Robin Uy when they talk about life in Team B, with the Bacolod native recalls his first weeks with National University which turned out to be the lone school that recruited him.

"Coming out from high school, I studied in Bacolod. Isa ako sa magaling pero di ako gaano kagaling," he said.

With the doubts already settling in as his confidence came into question, it was his family that encouraged him to commit with the Bulldogs.

"Sabi ng dad ko that time, grab ko na yung opportunity if gusto ko talaga mag-basketball," he added, with the tryouts was just a perfect set-up to get him, although he then admitted that he only brought clothing to last just five days as his mind was set already to go home after the tryouts.

"Di ko nga alam na kukunin na ako. Akala ko try out lang. Dinala kong damit mga five days lang."

Life in Sampaloc was nowhere near easy for Javelona, as apart from the culture shock he has to work his way up as he was put into the reserves first.

The arrival of Eric Altamirano and co. to their fold presented fresh challenges for him, in which there's only one way to get that golden ticket to college sports.

"For me, parang may bagong chance. Kasi magpapakita ka naman, bagong coach. So lahat mabibigyan kayo ng chance, mapapakita niyo kung anong kaya niyong gawin."

Javelona's hard work had paid off, as he survived the series of cuts that took place after their daily practice that boosted his confidence and his chances of making it to the big time. 

Until he himself was given the boot before training camp. However, a stroke of luck benefited him and he was inserted as the last man in.

"After nilang bumalik from training camp di naayos yung papers ng isang import, so 15 lang yung nasa lineup. Yung ginawa, pandagdag lang ako sa lineup na yun."

However, his first experience in the big time was just brief, as he went straight back to Team B and spent the next two years there.

Yet, Javelona found himself on the crossroads in 2012, not only facing the prospect of graduation without ever having another shot at the UAAP but also faced the emotional distress at the sudden loss of his father.

With his frustrations reaching to the point that he wanted to go back home in Bacolod for his mother and play there, Coach E persuaded him to stay in Sampaloc, with the opportunities are there in Manila rather than in the provinces.

"Parang may sinabi si coach Eric sa akin na di ko makalimutan," he said. "Sinabi niya, 'Sure ka ba? Yan ba talaga ang gusto ng dad mo para sa iyo'?"

That put him straight to where his priorities are, and with that, Javelona took another degree to keep his dream alive.

His reward? Three more fruitful years with the Bulldogs, including a drought-ending title win in 2014 serving as a reliable deputy to Gelo Alolino at point.

The blessings did not end in college, where he made his niche as a solid back-up guard as he made a huge step to reach his family dreams to turn pro. Alas, it was the same yo-yo story where he bounced around the PBA and the D-League.

Until Alab Pilipinas came. Javelona even offered his services as a practice player, but got more than what he wished for as he became an integral part of its second unit, taking home the ASEAN Basketball League title in 2018 alongside college teammate Ray Parks.

"Sobrang blessing for me," he said about his major highlight as a professional, in which it gave him a brief return to the PBA that year.

After spending the 2020 with MPBL's Bacolod, Javelona's preparations for the future is still uncertain due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the lessons of rejection had made him not just a better player but also a better person off the court.

"You just need to work. Kahit ano man yung pagdadaanan mo, yung paghihirap dapat i-embrace mo yun. Kasi wala namang madali eh."

Photo: Glenn Michael Tan/ABL (FILE)