ANTIPOLO – Jonathon Simmons is now halfway through his deal with NLEX.
Simmons dropped 33 points including eight in the fourth quarter to help the Road Warriors hold off NorthPort Batang Pier, 121-112, for their second straight win in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Center Saturday night.
The former NBA player added eight rebounds and five assists, though he committed seven of the 19 turnovers by the Road Warriors.
Jonathon Simmons on NLEX deal
Nonetheless, he got the job done and now needs two more wins before leaving the team and taking his act back to China.
Apparently, Simmons, 33, and NLEX management had an agreement for the import to win all the games he’ll play with the franchise before leaving the country.
“That’s the deal. That’s what we agreed on,” said the NLEX import.
The Road Warriors will next play TNT Tropang Giga on Feb. 1 and Phoenix on Feb. 4.
Ask of any possibility for him to stay a little bit and play a few more games, Simmons was non-committal.
“We don’t know,” he said. “But if not, I’ll be back.”
NLEX coach Frankie Lim came up with a suggestion to force the import to remain here a lot longer.
“Actually, we will hide his passport so he cannot leave,” said Lim.
The NLEX coach earlier already mentioned about plans of Simmons going 4-0 in his stint with the team prior to leaving for China.
“Sabi ko maybe you can give us four wins before you leave,” said Lim.
And despite the apparent short stint he will have with the Road Warriors, Lim has nothing but good words to Simmons.
“It seems he’s not a good player, but a great player. He knows how to play,” Lim said. “He knows when to make a shot, he knows how to pass. Suwerte kami sa kanya.”
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