PBA: Evan Nelle ready to learn 'everything' from Jimmy Alapag

New NLEX head coach Jimmy Alapag during a huddle in his 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup debut. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Evan Nelle would like to be a sponge and absorb everything from coach Jimmy Alapag now that he’s with NLEX.

“Everything and anything,” Nelle said after the Road Warriors’ 114-75 rout of the Macau Giant Pandas in Friday’s opener of the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

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Nelle didn’t suit up for the Road Warriors because of an injury, but could be available next week, when he hopes to impress the returning PBA legend.

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Alapag was tapped to call the shots for NLEX after spending the last three years in the NBA as a player development coach for the Sacramento Kings.

And Alapag’s knowledge and experience are things Nelle wants to learn.

“He’s a legend in this game and he has done so much for this sport,” Nelle said. “Just to be under him, under his wing [is great.’]”

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The third-year guard was acquired by NLEX from Phoenix in exchange for Sidney Onwubere, sort of “reuniting” him with Alapag.

Alapag actually trained Nelle in the United States before the former San Beda/La Salle guard joined the 2024 Rookie Draft where he wound up being chosen by NorthPort in the second round.

“Kilig lang because it’s Coach Jimmy, then he got me,” Nelle said of that experience, adding that he would like to make sure that trust is repaid.

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“There’s a lot of pressure, but of course, you got to ball out.”

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