NOW that members of the Red Cubs are joining the San Beda University Red Lions, the team will have a legitimate point guard in Season 94 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.
Red Cubs’ standout point guard Evan Nelle is one of two junior members, who committed to stay put to play for the school’s college team.
Along with forward Peter Alfaro, Nelle has joined the practices of the Red Lions, who did not have a point guard last season.
Nelle averaged 14 points and 6.8 rebounds when he played for the Red Cubs, who won two titles out of four attempts with him around in the NCAA.
The 5’10” guard is expected to stabilize the Red Lions’ rotation next season, according to Red Lions’ coach Boyet Fernandez.
“He will be a very good asset to the team. Last year, we had no point guard. With Evan around, his teammates Jomari Presbitero and Radj Tongco will be more consistent in their positions,” said Fernandez.
On the other hand, Fernandez said Robert Bolick, who acted as their point guard the last time around, will give way to Nelle.
In high school, the 19-year-old Nelle helped the Red Cubs not only win titles in the junior division, but also in the National Basketball Training Center, Philippine Secondary Schools Basketball Championship, the Palarong Pambansa, Metro Manila Basketball League and the Filoil Flying Preseason Tournament over the last three years.
On the other hand, Alfaro, a three-point specialist and skilled forward, has accepted an offer by manager Jude Roque to be in the Team B for the coming schoolyear and wait for a chance to be in Team A in Season 95.
Alfaro’s brother Marius said Peter’s decision to stay put came after a long talk with Roque.
His other teammates like big men Sam Abuhijle and Germy Mahinay and Peter Alfaro are not joining them.
There are invitations for Abuhijle and Mahinay and other members of the Red Cubs to join Team B, but the two have joined the tryouts conducted by coach Aldin Ayo for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
The Season 94 backcourt of the Red Lions is also expected to include AC Soberano and a newcomer Filipino-Canadian James Canlas.