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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 10) – Five former Gilas Pilipinas cadets are all locked up to take their talents to the local professional scene as they signed their respective deals with Philippine Basketball Association ball clubs.
Brothers Mike and Matt Nieto finalized their deals with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the NLEX Road Warriors, respectively.
Mike was the first to sign a PBA contract among the five former Gilas cadets, after he inked up a two-year deal with the Elasto Painters on Feb. 4.
Meanwhile, Matt signed a three-year contract with the Road Warriors on Tuesday.
“From what I saw from the player three years ago to the player I’ve seen just recently, I think he has become even better and more matured,” said NLEX general manager and head coach Yeng Guiao.
The Nieto twins’ fellow Atenean Isaac Go also joined the Terrafirma Dyip on a two-year deal, as confirmed by head coach Johnedel Cardel on Thursday.
Guard Rey Suerte, meanwhile, boosts the backcourt of cellar dweller Blackwater Bossing after he signed a two-year pact with the squad on Monday.
Fellow playmaker Allyn Bulanadi becomes the newest member of the Alaska Aces after inking up a deal with the franchise on Tuesday.
The five former Gilas cadets are expected to see action in Friday’s resumption of the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The five cagers are also part of the 2019 PBA Gilas Special Draft, where they were drafted by the same teams they signed for in the upcoming conference.
