Filoil Flying V Preseason Cup Morning Rundown: Evan Nelle is out for payback

(Photo Credit: Filoil Flying V Sports)

Evan Nelle had a bad season last year. Even if he himself didn't admit it explicitly, you could see with the way he played and with his body language that he was not content with how he was performing. San Beda still managed to make it to the Finals, but Evan going MIA during the Finals didn't help with their chances of completing an 8-peat.

It got even worse for Evan. After being named as practically a shoo-in in the SLAM Rising Stars Classic, he wasn't even considered in the all-star game. He was able to make it to the NBTC All-Star Game, but in the rankings made by coaches and analysts, the Red Cub was ranked 25th out of 26 players.

From being one of the top prospects in High School Basketball, to an afterthought. Immediately, Nelle went to work.

Agains the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, all that work showed.

There weren't any drastic changes to his game or his body. He was still his usual lanky self, with some added muscle. Nothing too drastic.

But what was different were his speed and the mentality he came into the court. He was no longer settling for three pointers all the time, going for mid-range jumpers off pick and rolls. And when he'd be given the pick, he wouldn't pull up immediately. Evan would think first if a better opportunity was available for the roll man.

It's just the start of the preseason, but it's looking like Evan is ready to take his place back among the Top 5 in his class. He was able to put up 18 easy points against arguably the best player in High School basketball right now in SJ Belangel. Evan Nelle is out for payback, and the rest of the field should watch out. Let's head on to the rundown.

Sunday Scores: 

Ateneo Blue Eaglets def. San Beda Red Cubs 73-66

JRU Heavy Bombers def. UE Red Warriors 67-62

Ateneo Blue Eagles def. Letran Knights 78-76

Flying V Thunder def. FEU Tamaraws 78-68

DLSU Green Archers def. UPHSD Atlas 94-71

The Rundown

1. Kai Sotto had a quiet 10 point, 9 rebound and 4 block performance against arguably the best front-line in High School Basketball. SJ Belangel, you have some (big) competition for MVP.

2. San Beda looks great. Their bigs didn't play all too well, but it's important that they were up against a 6'11" unicorn. Aside from that, they were confident, and their guards were attacking with relative ease.

3. After a huge win against DLSU, JRU just barely escaped a depleted UE Red Warriors team. It's just the start of the preseason, so there's that.

4. Teytey Teodoro is amazing. There's no other way to put it.

5. Has Ateneo found its go-to-scorer? Maybe not. But Tyler Tio scoring a clutch three off an isolation play should get fans giddy. 

6. Although, Ateneo's offensive execution still isn't as crisp. It's the preseason, so there's lots of time for Coach Tab to fix the kinks with his offense.

7. Eric Salamat looks very determined to make it back to the pros. He's been Flying V Thunder's best player throughout the tournament, although it is important to take note that he's older than the competition he's facing.

8. FEU's a very interesting case. Ron Dennison was the Tamaraw's top scorer, which can either be a case of luck, or that's really the direction FEU is headed to. Considering that the Tamaraws have Arvin Tolentino, Hubert Cani and a bunch of other proven scorers, this is something that will surely be worth watching out for.

9. La Salle may have blown out Perpetual, but that was to be expected. The Atlas lacks talent, while the Green Archers is overflowing with talent. No surprise there.

10. The search for a consistent second scorer still continues. Ben Mbala took 19 shots en route to 30 points, but that just makes him more susceptible to double teams. Considering DLSU's lack of consistent outside shooting, that isn't a good look. Someone has to step up on a consistent basis.

11. Troy Mallillin has left Taft. Is he headed to UST? I talk about that in depth here.