Evan Nelle was one with many in anticipating who would replace Derrick Pumaren as head coach of De La Salle University’s men’s basketball team.
And on Thursday, the Green Archers were called to assemble on the hardcourt of the Razon Sports Complex.
There Topex Robinson was officially appointed as the new head coach of the Green Archers.
“I was just happy that it was official. I’m just really excited to be under him,” Nelle shared to Tiebreaker Times.
It wasn’t actually a surprise for Nelle as Robinson had been calling him, giving updates on his interviews with the Green Archers managers.
“You have to appreciate Coach Topex for what he did. Solid. When he said that he needs me, iba e. Thank you talaga!”
Those little things accumulated and made the 5-foot-11 guard out of San Beda decide to play out his final year for La Salle.
It also helped that a lot of current PBA players have been calling Nelle, telling him that being under Robinson is an opportunity he can’t forego.
“So many PBA players are telling me that I will learn a lot from him. It’s going to be good for my career,” said Nelle.
“I was talking K-Lo (Kurt Lojera), Perk (Jason Perkins), and they said the same thing. Coach Jamike (Jarin) also called, he said I was going to learn a lot from coach Topex.”
In two seasons with La Salle, Nelle has been one of the leaders of the Green Archers.
In Season 84, he put up numbers of 10.63 points, 3.88 assists, 3.19 rebounds, and 1.94 steals per contest. He raised his averages to 12.0 points, 6.0 assists, 4.83 rebounds, and 1.67 steals per game.
But he is not just excited for himself.
During the time he was in the NCAA, Nelle had already faced Robinson when the two were with San Beda and Lyceum, respectively.
And he saw firsthand how Robinson brings out the best in everyone.
“You know me, I like to pick brains. What I can learn from Coach T… Pinalabas niya yung laro ni Tyler (Tio), the Marcelinos (Jaycee and Jayvee), I know Enzo Navarro likes him. I can’t wait. He is really an excellent motivator,” said the 24-year-old floor general, who was part of the all-NCAA Season 95 team.
“I can’t wait to see the confidence he will give our rookies and sophomores. They just need the confidence and someone who believes in them. Coach Topex will do just that. I’m just excited for the whole team.”
