By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The NLEX Road Warriors just signed Negrense hoops sensation Jhan Nermal to a two-year PBA contract confirmed last December 5, 2023.
NLEX finally inked Nermal to a formal PBA deal after his stint with the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL) already ended.
Nermal played for the Bacoor City Strikers and reached the MPBL grand finals but eventually bowed down to the best squad in the league, the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.
Now that the MPBL season finally concluded, Nermal is now eligible to sign a PBA contract after getting drafted 21st overall in the second round of draft night.
The MPBL mainstay hails from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental and delivered several championships to the West Negros University during his NOPSSCEA days.
He was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2023 Iloilo Dinagyang Cup basketball league after flaunting his skills in front of the Ilonggos.
Nermal took Iloilo City by storm when the Royal Star Trading squad outdueled team Uniwheels during the championship match of the prestigious league.
Together with Nermal as NLEX’s late signees is NCAA superstar Enoch Valdez from the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates.
Valdez is fresh off an NCAA Final Four stint but didn’t have any happy ending after the Pirates let their twice-to-beat advantage vanish against the San Beda Red Lions.
An all-around player who can score and defend all positions, NLEX head coach Frankie Lim can’t wait to field the elite NCAA pick-up as well as Nermal.
