Overweight evangelista gives clutch major lift

Allan Evangelista, the burly, former University of Santo Tomas forward, had modest goals upon his return to basketball early this year.

Having seen his weight balloon to 250 pounds after he was away from the game for almost a decade, the 6-foot-2 Evangelista only wanted to trim down.

Little did the former UAAP champion know that this move will lead him back to competitive basketball after his last PBL stint in 2010.

Evangelista, 37, showed he can still make an impact as he powered Navotas to a 78-69 victory over Bacolod on Monday for its first win in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Lakan Season at Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.

“I was out of basketball for a decade and I only wanted to lose weight that’s why I started playing again,” said Evangelista, who finished with 14 points and eight rebounds as the Clutch improved to 1-1. “I’ve lost around 20 pounds, but I’m still far from my playing weight.

Still, I’m happy that I’m here playing the game that I love.”

The Clutch rallied from 19 points down in the third period with Evangelista and Mykee Cabahug hitting big shots down the stretch.

Cabahug’s three-pointer with 1:30 remaining made it a 74-68 lead for Navotas, before Evangelista sealed the win with two foul shots.

Held to just eight points in the final period, Bacolod absorbed its second loss in three games.