After missing one game, Evan Nelle returned as De La Salle University’s main playmaker on Saturday.
Despite coming off the bench, the senior guard still led the Green Archers to a bounce-back win over the University of the East, 83-75, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Nelle notched 14 points, four rebounds, four assists, and two steals while being a plus-nine in his 24 minutes and 25 seconds on the court.
In the postgame interview, La Salle head coach Topex Robinson revealed that Nelle is still recovering from a quad contusion.
“Evan is still not 100 percent,” said Robinson.
According to Robinson, the Red Lion-turned-Green Archer was simply displaying his dedication to the team in his final playing year.
Nelle was on the floor during the fourth quarter when La Salle pulled away, thanks to its big men trio of Jonnel Policarpio, Raven Cortez, and Kevin Quiambao, with Nelle facilitating.
“Actually, Evan’s fighting spirit emerged earlier. He doesn’t want to miss games. He feels that he owes this to the team, to always give his best, whether he has an injury or not,” shared the first-year Green Archers coach.
“That’s the dedication he has. He may have been struggling with his injuries, but you can’t question Evan’s heart. He’s truly a fighter,” he added.
“He’s one of the backbones of this team and he just proves how important he is to this team.”
La Salle now stands in solo third place, despite a rollercoaster first round, with a 4-3 record, having experienced close losses to Ateneo de Manila University (77-72), National University (80-77), and the University of the Philippines (67-64).
