Former San Beda red Lion Evan Nelle. INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Evan Nelle ultimately addressed the issue of why he left a prospering career with San Beda to transfer to De La Salle.
In an interview with Mikee Reyes’ Straight Up podcast, Nelle said coach Boyet Fernandez was one of the reasons for his departure, saying that he felt the mentor’s anger towards him after the Red Lions failed to defend their NCAA title against archival Letran.
Nelle said that he was inconsolable after San Beda’s 81-79 loss to the Knights in the title clincher and that Fernandez never comforted him in the locker room.
“I was really pissed off from what happened,” said Nelle in Filipino. “It was one of the reasons for my decision to leave. I was crying, I didn’t sing the alma mater song because I was really ashamed of what happened.”
“I was crying uncontrollably. It was me, coach JB [Sison] was with me along with my parents, the security guard. I wasn’t looking at anyone even though they were talking to me.”
Nelle said that while he poured his heart out, he heard Fernandez approach his circle and, instead of consoling him, just glared at him and walked away.
“The moment I looked up, it was coach and he just looked at me then he shook his head,” said Nelle. “It was as if he just glared at me. He didn’t even comfort me at the time.”
The point guard claimed Fernandez blamed him and pointed out his immaturity during their post-game talk.
Despite what happened in the locker room following their championship loss, Nelle still went to practice with the Red Lions in January and the thought of leaving the school has yet to cross his mind at the time.
Nelle, though, claimed that Fernandez never checked up on him during practices and the months that followed.
To vent his emotions, Nelle talked to team manager Jude Roque about how he felt in regards to Fernandez’ treatment of him.
“I vented my frustrations and we clashed for a bit because I said stuff that should not be said,” said Nelle. “I told him that I hoped that what we talked about would be between us but the next day coach called for a huddle and he said ‘I’m the coach here, and I’ll be the one that would be followed.’ He kept on taking swipes.”
“Then I said to myself, ‘that’s it. I’m out.’”
Nelle added that he wanted to leave San Beda without any excess baggage but the most he got was a nod.
“I talked to them personally and you know what they told me? ‘Good luck.’”
INQUIRER.net has tried to get the side of Fernandez but there was no response as of posting.