FILIPINO fans got a sneak peek of what NLEX import Cady Lalanne can bring to the table on Wednesday night.
Playing on loan to Meralco in the EASL, Lalanne was the second leading scorer for the Bolts in their 88-79 loss to Ryukyu Golden Kings, compiling 18 points while helping in a late run that nearly erased a 20-point lead by the B.League squad.
Not bad for a player who just stepped in on loan after Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was ruled out of the season due to an Achilles tear.
READ Meralco confirms Ismael Romero is Nenad's choice for PBA import
Lalanne only had one tune-up game for Meralco in the lead-up to the EASL match-up where the Bolts played Phoenix.
“We almost made a comeback but it’s a tough game,” said Lalanne. “That’s a team (Ryukyu) that has been together for years and we just got together and I practiced one day, played a game the next so it was kind of tough. We came back. We almost won the game. We didn’t give up and that’s a good thing.”
The 6-foot-10 Haitian import had nothing but good things to say about the Bolts despite the limited time that he had with the team.
“The guys were great. They were very helpful, very welcoming so it was great being with them, the coaching staff, all the players, it was great. I felt welcomed,” said Lalanne.
He now shifts his focus back to NLEX where the Road Warriors are looking for a more consistent showing after a Philippine Cup where the team spent the early part of the conference among the leaders only to end up at No. 8 in the quarterfinals before they were ousted by eventual champion San Miguel.
NLEX also missed the playoffs in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.
The former UMass standout, who had stints overseas in Korea, Taiwan, and Puerto Rico to name a few, said he is all about winning.
“Just come to play, play hard, try to win, try to compete, try to get wins as much possible,” said Lalanne on what fans can expect from him.
“It’s a great team. The guys are very welcoming also with open arms, and it’s been great. We’ve been working hard and we’re looking forward to see what we can do in the PBA,” said Lalanne.
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.
