The former San Beda player is rooting for the Red Lions as they attempt to force the decider in Game 2 of their best-of-three Finals series against the Mapua Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 10.
UAAP champion Evan Nelle roots for former home San Beda in NCAA Finals clash vs Mapua
Dec 9, 2023 12:12 PM
At a glance
Evan Nelle is now a recently crowned UAAP champion with De La Salle while his former side is seeking its own redemption in the NCAA.
Things may have ended bitterly in the past, but the Green Archers guard believes that San Beda is capable of pulling off the same feat in its own best-of-three finals affair against Mapua in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.
San Beda has its back against the wall as it attempts to breathe life into its title campaign in Game 2 on Sunday, Dec. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Red Lions bowed in Game 1, 68-63, last Thursday.
The 24-year-old veteran, who had a flourishing collegiate career before moving to La Salle, started off as a champion with San Beda in his rookie year before being denied of the four-peat title the following season that caused his eventual departure from the team in 2020.
“They’re gonna win for sure. It’s Beda. Coach Yuri (Escueta) has his tactics, they have a good point guard in Jacob (Cortez), they have a good team. I’m confident about those boys,” said Nelle.
The Season 86 Mythical Five member steered the Green Archers to their first UAAP title in seven years against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in their historic do-or-die Finals Game 3 earlier this week.
Interestingly, the Red Lions are also in the same predicament following their 68-63 defeat against the Cardinals who, in turn, moved on cusp of their first NCAA title in 32 years.
La Salle suffered the most disastrous Game 1 loss in the Final Four of the UAAP, 97-67, before getting back at UP in Game 2 and dragging the series to a rubber match and winning it all there.