By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense winger Jhan Nermal is set to begin his career in the Philippine Basketball Association after being signed to a two-year rookie contract by the NLEX Road Warriors.

The Negros Occidental’s Hinigaran-native Nermal only signed with the Road Warriors, as he would still finish his stint with the Bacoor City Strikers in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.

Nermal is one of the two late signees of the Road Warriors, aside from Enoch Valdez, who came from his campaign with the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates in the NCAA Season 99 men’s basketball tournament.

“We are thrilled to welcome Enoch and Jhan to the NLEX Road Warriors family. Both players have showcased exceptional talent, and we believe they will be instrumental in our pursuit of success,” NLEX Road Warriors team governor Ronald Dulatre said.

Nermal and Valdez will be the welcome additions to the skidding Road Warriors, which were shorthanded following the anterior cruciate ligament injury of Kevin Alas that will keep him out for the rest of the season.

The Road Warriors, which recently hired Stokley Chaffee, Jr. as their new import after dismissing former NBA player Thomas Robinson, are currently in the bottom half of the standings with a 2-4 record.

Meanwhile, the Converge FiberXers also added another rookie to their young roster as they signed point guard John Louisse delos Santos, the team’s 19th overall pick during the recent PBA Rookie Draft.

Delos Santos will only join the slumping FiberXers midway in the season-opening conference as he will still play his final year of eligibility with the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers in the NCAA.

The Aldin Ayo-mentored FiberXers also made an import change as they tapped former Los Angeles Clippers forward Jamil Wilson to replace the ineffective Tom Vodanovich.

The FiberXers are currently in last place in the standings with a 0-5 win-loss record./ASC, WDJ