Evan Nelle. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup Finals will feature two UAAP rivals in La Salle and University of the Philippines but Evan Nelle is locked in on one particular matchup.
Nelle recorded an all-around game of nine points, seven rebounds, four assists and a steal in the Green Archers’ 86-73 semifinal win over National University.
But it didn’t take long for Nelle to shift his focus on his upcoming matchup against UP’s JD Cagulangan.
“As you saw earlier, Maimai (Cagulangan) took control of the game. They pulled away because he was playing all out and as you can see, they have a really good coaching staff,” Nelle said at San Juan Arena on Monday.
“It’s going to go down to tactics and preparations.”
Cagulangan, on the other hand, topscored in the Fighting Maroons’ dominant victory over Perpetual Help, earlier, with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Nelle posts 7.7 points, 6.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds while Cagulangan averages 7.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds per outing.
The two have had numerous battles in the past dating back to their high school days when Cagulangan was with La Salle Greenhills and Nelle was with San Beda.
“Ever since then, even back in high school, we really go at it. It’s really fun to go against him because I learn every time,” Nelle said.
La Salle, which beat UP on Wednesday after National University and Perpetual Help’s battle for third.