La Salle’s Evan Nelle. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Evan Nelle has always been his own biggest critic.
Wednesday was no different even after putting up his best performance yet in his first year at La Salle on the grand stage of the UAAP Final Four.
“I still committed a lot of mistakes. I still need to work on my decision-making,” Nelle told reporters after La Salle forced a knockout game against University of the Philippines for a finals berth on Friday.
Aside from turning the ball over twice and missing a pair of free throws, Nelle was brilliant with 26 points, six rebounds, seven assists and three steals as the Green Archers claimed an 83-80 victory.
Nelle, who transferred from San Beda, had an efficient outing making 8-of-13 from the field including five of nine from long range.
“I just got my shots going and I wanted my teammates to get involved. I really wanted to control the game,” he said.
He did just that—making plays and hitting timely baskets—that allowed La Salle to build a big lead early and stave off a late UP comeback.
“I don’t want to go home just yet.”