Aspirant Nelle trains with Alapag

MANILA, Philippines — Collegiate standout Evan Nelle is preparing the way for his dream stint in the PBA by training under league legend Jimmy Alapag in Sacramento.

Nelle, who steered La Salle to the UAAP Season 86 title, linked up with Alapag, currently the player development coach of the Kings in the NBA, in California to hone up his skills and learn valuable lessons ahead of the PBA Rookie Draft.

“I’m picking his brains a little and a few more days in, I hope to learn more from him,” the 5-foot-11 guard said via video call in yesterday’s Power and Play with Noli Eala on Cignal.

“Sulit, grabe, iba talaga si Coach Jimmy. Very kind, very nice, idol,” said Nelle, who is set to attend another training camp in Ohio after his sessions with the PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great.

Nelle is among the early birds to make themselves available for the draft set July 14. He joins Caelan Tiongson, Ben Philips, CJ Cansino, Francis Escandor, DJ Mitchell, Calvin Payawal, CJ Catapusan, and Paul Garcia in the initial list.