Adamson Falcons take down a Final Four contender. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The last time Joseph Nalos was on the floor, he got ejected for pulling down Ateneo’s Vince Tolentino by his neck exactly a week ago.
Nalos served a one-game suspension when Adamson lost to National University in overtime last Wednesday, a game where the Cebuano guard said he felt “guilty” missing after seeing his team come perhaps just a bad call away from winning.
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Back from a ban, Nalos redeemed himself by teaming up with Cameroonian center Papi Sarr in leading Adamson to a comeback win over La Salle on Saturday.
“He’s a fighter,” said Adamson head coach Mike Fermin while giving his starting point guard a pat on the back.
READ: Hard luck Adamson fails to catch a break in OT loss to NU
“When the incident against Ateneo happened I know what kind of heart he has. He apologized to me for not being able to help the team last game but I told him it’s over and done with just bounce back next time around.”
Nalos did bounce back with one of his best games this season with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field to spearhead his team’s rally from 16 points down. He also had four rebounds and six assists.
READ: NU escapes Adamson in OT, arrests 3-game skid
“[I felt] guilty when I learned about my suspension,” Nalos said in Filipino. “But it really wasn’t my intention to hurt Vince. This game I just wanted to atone for not being able to help the team last game against NU.”
Nalos also said he used the game as a chance to prove himself amid the flak he got following the incident.
“I felt down with what happened because the media didn’t get my side and they only got the side of Ateneo. I used this game as motivation to show that I don’t play that way.”