A longshot to make it to the PBA, Jhan Nermal now proving he belongs

A longshot to make it to the PBA, Jhan Nermal now proving he belongs

JHAN Nermal is proving each and every game that he belongs in the PBA.

The NLEX rookie put on another stellar performance on Wednesday, scoring 12 points in the Road Warriors’ 107-103 win over Converge in a crucial Commissioner’s Cup game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Prior to the win over the FiberXers, Nermal reached his career-high when he had 16 points and four rebounds in a win against Blackwater last December 22.

READ Jhan Nermal’s inspiring journey from welder to construction worker to PBA player

NLEX took a bet on a former welder and construction worker who played college ball at West Negros University, taking the scrappy forward in the second round of the last PBA Rookie Draft at No. 21 overall.

Nermal gamble paying off

Now that bet is paying off.

The 30-year-old Nermal feels so blessed that he has reached this far – but at the same time is determined to keep his spot with the Road Warriors.

jhan nermal mpbl

PHOTO: MPBL

“Siguro, will na rin ni Lord na napunta ako dito,” said the native of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. “Kahit ako, hindi ako makapaniwala na napunta ako sa PBA. Plano ni Lord ito. Sobrang thankful ako na nandito ako.”

Nermal is only in his fourth NLEX game, having come in midway into the conference as he finished his commitment with the Bacoor Strikers in the MPBL, where he got all the way to the finals before losing to the Pampanga Giant Lanterns.

Nermal cites MPBL lessons

Nermal said his MPBL experience was valuable in his new chapter in the PBA.

“Malaking tulong sa akin ‘yung MPBL dahil ‘yung kumpiyansa ko, nakuha ko din doon. Kung ano ‘yung natutunan ko sa MPBL, dadalhin ko dito sa PBA. Marami akong natutunan,” said Nermal.

At NLEX, Nermal said it wasn’t too difficult adjusting to and learning the system of head coach Frankie Lim with the help of his teammates. It also benefited him that Lim is giving him every chance to prove that he is worthy of a spot in the roster.

“Siguro, kung ano lang din ‘yung maitutulong ko sa team, ‘yun lang din ‘yung gagawin ko,” said Nermal. “Kung ibigay sa akin depensa, dedepensa lang din ako. Kung offensive rebound, gagawin ko. Sisipagin ko pa rin ‘yung binibigay na chance sa akin ni coach.”

Nermal said he has had very little rest for months now, having gone back to work immediately after the loss to Pampanga in the MPBL Finals.

He doesn’t mind at all.

“Hindi nakapag-pahinga. Ganyan talaga. Saka na ako magpapahinga kapag may break na kami. Pero trabaho pa rin kami,” said Nermal. “‘Yung PBA, pro na talaga na mataas na level sa Pilipinas. Malaking tulong talaga ‘yung mga teammates ko at si coach.”