TNT appeared to have been handed Mike Nieto on a silver platter after picking him up from the unrestricted free agent list just this week.
It was actually a calculated gamble.
Nieto was recovering from a fractured finger and hasn’t been given clearance to play when the Tropang 5G decided to pick him up from the UFAWR2RS (with rights to salary) where he had been relegated by Converge.
READ Here's how TNT got its hands on Converge's Mike Nieto
He suffered the injury during a tuneup game between the FiberXers and the NLEX Road Warriors two weeks before the start of the PBA Philippine Cup.
“Na-fracture yung finger ko (left), na-dislocate and nadurog yung buto,” Nieto recalled, adding the finger had to be put in a cast that kept him out of action for more than a month.
Since he’s unable to play, Converge talked to him about being relegated to the unrestricted free agency list since it was Jordan Heading (back spasm) who was put in the injured/reserved list.
“A week before (the Philippine Cup) deadline na kasi ng lineup, kinausap ako ni coach Franco (Atienza) and sabi ko wala namang problema,” said the 6-foot-2 shooting guard.
Initially, the injury was given four weeks to heal. Unfortunately, the timeline of recovery was later prolonged.
“Hoping kami na nung fourth week makaka-recover na. Nung ini-Xray, hindi pa buo yung buto. So hindi ako nakapag-recover agad for Converge.”
Despite not yet fully recovered, Nieto regularly attended the FiberXers’ practices but was not allowed to participate in full-contract practice.
The guard out of Ateneo though, kept himself in shape, doing weights, and making sure he doesn’t gain extra poundage.
“Mahirap kasi yung mawala sa kundisyon. Para kung sakali, yung game rhythm na lang hahabulin mo,” he reasoned out.
With TNT’s backcourt hit by injuries, TNT took an interest in Nieto and gambled on him despite the absence of a clearance from doctors.
It so happened that in his second day with the Tropang 5G, the go-signal came.
“Nasaktuhan lang nung pagka-clear ko, nasa TNT na ako,” said Nieto.
Chot Reyes tried to break in Nieto by giving him 12 minutes of playing time. He finished with four points and six rebounds in a 108-82 win over Blackwater that extended its winning streak to six for a 6-3 record.
Grateful Nieto
“Just two days ago yung first contact practice ko in 11 weeks,” said Nieto of his first practice with the Tropang 5G. “Ngayon ok na ako, tini-tape na lang siya (finger). Kaya sobrang grateful ako na inabsorb nila (TNT) ako.”
But at the same time, Nieto had nothing but nice words for Converge, which acquired him in trade with Rain or Shine in 2023 for two future draft picks.
“Hats off to Converge and the therapy team, sila master Gus (Vargas), kasi sila naman talaga yung nagpagaling sa akin. Grateful talaga ako sa Converge management kasi inalagaan talaga nila ako,” he said.
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