Nuyles enjoying ‘new’ career

His white jersey drenched in sweat after his first competitive game in almost two years, former PBA first-round pick Alex Nuyles looked up the MOA Arena scoreboard and smiled.

Although his new team, the Bicol Volcanoes, were given a rude welcome to the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League by the retooled Basilan Steel, 93-84, on Wednesday night, Nuyles felt a tinge of satisfaction as he finally opened a new chapter in his career.

“I’m just happy to be back, playing again,” said the 29-year-old Nuyles, who finished with 22 points in 36 minutes.

The former Adamson standout was tipped to make an impact on the PBA when he was drafted by Rain or Shine in 2013 before he was sent to the unprotected list during the expansion draft for Blackwater a season later.

But a spate of injuries railroaded his bid for stardom. After a two-year, injury-plagued stint with TNT, he spent the past year getting in shape, before getting the call to join the MPBL.

“I’m just at 50 percent,” Nuyles said. “I don’t want to rush my conditioning because of my old injuries. My priority is to stay healthy and get better.”

Still adjusting to the frenetic pace of the game, Nuyles faded down the stretch as the Volcanoes failed to stop Basilan’s late-game breakaway from a 75-73 count.

Later, South division champion Davao Occidental overcame Zamboanga, 84-82.