ANTIPOLO – Evan Nelle is looking forward to repaying the trust of NLEX Road Warriors head coach Jimmy Alapag once he gets back on the court.
The 28-year-old guard was welcomed by NLEX days before the PBA 50 Governors' Cup curtain-raiser, but has been relegated to the team's injury/reserve list.
Nelle said he suffered a grade 1 calf strain two weeks ago when he was still part of the Phoenix Fuel Masters, keeping him on the sidelines of his new team's opening game on Friday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
READ: NLEX welcomes Evan Nelle ahead of Governors' Cup opener
"I'm excited kasi coach Jimmy's here, new team and very good environment. Everybody's just chill," Nelle told reporters after their 114-75 win over the Macau Giant Pandas.
"He [Alapag] welcomed me and then he told me that he'd like to push the pace, run each team out of the court. He just welcomed me and nagkukwentuhan lang kami [about] personal stuff," he shared.
Nelle visited Alapag when he was still on the Sacramento Kings coaching staff, extensively training with the Gilas Pilipinas legend before joining the 2024 PBA Draft.
The 28-year-old could not hide his excitement and 'kilig' to have the opportunity to be mentored by the Mighty Mouse himself.
"Kilig lang kasi ano yan eh, Coach Jimmy. He got me so I have to repay his trust. Not naman pressure but of course, you just got to ball out," he said.
"Everything and anything. He's a legend. He's a legend in the game. He's done so much for this sport. Just to be under him, under his wing," Nelle replied when asked what he wants to learn from Alapag.
Although Nelle has not yet joined the team in practice, he's already forming a bond with his fellow Road Warriors off the court.
"Ang kukulit nila. Ang daming Bedista, Kuya Jake [Pascual], Kuya Dave [Marcelo]. Ang kukulit. We have yung mga kasabayan ko from college, we've got LJay [Gonzales]. Siya yung laging kasama ko. Everybody else is just really, really warm to me. I'm kind of excited to get on the court and battle with them," he said.
"I have one more week and I’m good to go... I'm cleared for Wednesday," Nelle added.