After a four-year stay in the big league, Alex Nuyles was once again back at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Wednesday evening.
But the 6-foot-2 winger out of Adamson University was no longer representing a corporation. Instead, he was playing for his home province of Bicol in the MPBL.
And the explosive cager showed that he still got it as the ninth overall pick in the 2013 PBA Draft tallied 22 points and seven rebounds.
“Parang ayokong magpatalo kasi dala namin yung Bicol,” said the native of Camalig, Albay.
“Pag uuwi ka, kahit anong mangyari, ayaw mo na mapahiya sila.”
However, the debuting Volcanoes could not overcome the Basilan Steel, falling 83-94.
Still, Nuyles tallied those numbers with just one good leg.
“Sobrang hirap. Tipong kaya mo pa pala pero sa isip pa lang, yung katawan medyo bumibigay pa so dapat tingnan mo pa rin yung diet mo, strength and conditioning, back to basics ka,” recalled Nuyles.
“Kung ano yung ginagawa mo sa college, yun ang ginagawa ko dito.”
His last two years in the PBA was plagued by numerous injuries. But the most painful to him was right knee tendonitis, a recurring injury that is hard to fully recover from.”
“Sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa TNT at kay boss Manny Pangilinan, sa organization at sa teammates ko. Kahit lagi akong injured, apat na beses akong naoperahan, three times sa tuhod, one time sa hip, talagang di sila nag-give up sila sa akin for two years na mahigit,” he expressed.
Opening a new chapter in his still young career, the 29-year-old is hopeful that he can gain full strength on that knee as the season progresses.
“Nasa fifty-percent pa lang.
“Kasi talagang inaamin sa akin ng conditioning coach ko na paangat pa lang din ako. Dinadahan dahan namin kasi galing pa rin ako ng injury. Gusto niya akong palakasin,” he wishes.
What’s most important is that he is still not giving up on his dream.
“Focus ko lang na makabalik.”
