ANTIPOLO – Guard Evan Nelle has been relegated in the injury/reserve list by NLEX to start the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
The Road Warriors’ latest acquisition suffered a grade 1 calf strain two weeks ago while he was still with Phoenix. The injury kept him from making his debut on Friday under new coach Jimmy Alapag opposite guest team Macau Giant Pandas.
READ NLEX whips Macau by 39 in Alapag's PBA head-coaching debut
Nonetheless, the 28-year-old guard hopes to be back in action and play his first game with his new team a week from now.
“I have one more week and I’m good to go,” said Nelle, who was in street clothes, after NLEX’s runaway 114-75 win over Macau.
The 5-foot-11 Nelle hasn’t practiced with the team since being acquired in a trade with Phoenix in exchange for big man Sidney Onwubere. But he hit it off right away with the rest of the Road Warriors, especially with Alapag.
“I’m excited kasi coach Jimmy is here. New team, very good environment, and everybody’s just chill,” said Nelle.
NLEX will be the third team of Nelle in two years in the league after initially landing at Northport as a second-round pick (No. 14 overall) in the Season 49 draft.
He spent his rookie season with the Batang Pier before being involved in a three-team trade involving Titan, Phoenix, and Converge that saw him end up with the Fuel Masters.
Nelle’s stint with Phoenix lasted for just two conference after which, he found himself on the move again after NLEX acquired him in Alapag’s firs- ever trade deal as Road Warriors’ head coach.
Right away, the rookie mentor was clear on what Nelle’s role with the Road Warriors will be.
“He (Alapag) welcomed me. And he told me that he likes to push the pace, and run his team out to the court. He just welcomed me, parang nagkukuwentuhan lang kami,” he said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
