NLEX opened its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a win over Blackwater.
Actor Gerald Anderson sat comfortably in the front row as NLEX kickstarted its PBA Governors’ Cup journey with a convincing 124-102 win over Blackwater on Wednesday.
It turns out, Anderson was rooting for his pal and NLEX newbie Hesed Gabo.
“Si Gabo, alam naman natin na it’s his first game, so andito ako para suportahan siya,” said Anderson, himself a basketball player who also played in the MPBL like Gabo.
And Anderson sure didn't go home disappointed, as Gabo shone the brightest among the NLEX newbies.
In his debut, the former Nueva Ecija ace had 5 points, an assist, and a steal in the Road Warriors' convincing win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
No less than head coach Frankie Lim appreciated Gabo's contributions in Wednesday’s game, saying the stats didn’t give justice to the things the rookie brought to the table.
“He didn't score much but ‘yung handle niya maganda. Mapapakinabangan namin ‘yun si Gabo,” said Lim.
Undrafted in 2019, Gabo previously helped the Nueva Ecija claim the MPBL crown last December — in a season where he was also named a member of the Mythical Five.
Gabo's MPBL exploits didn’t go unnoticed. Soon after, he got the invite to join the Road Warriors’ practice from Lim himself.
“Si Gabo, I personally chose him. Nakita ko yung mga games nya sa MPBL. He was also part of the Mythical Five,” Lim said of the playmaker, who signed a one-year deal with NLEX.
“I needed a steady point guard who can handle the team, so I chose him. Nung pinasipot ko siya sabi ko ‘punta ka sa practice, mag-ensayo ka.’ Nakita ko pwede.”
From the looks of it, it appears Gabo will be a fixture in Lim’s guard rotation. And maybe Anderson will also be a regular in NLEX games from now on.