Jhan Nermal makes most of God's plans as he looks to cap breakout MPBL season with national title

For Jhan Nermal, God really destined him to have a stellar basketball career despite his family's struggles. MPBL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MAKATI--Once upon a time, Jhan Nermal was struggling to fund his participation in a barangay league he even had to work as a construction worker just to get the needed money.

Now, enjoying a larger salary, he is on one of Philippine basketball's grandest stages with an even bigger paycheck waiting for him afterward.

Nermal's perseverance finally paid off as he is now on the verge of winning the MPBL championship as one of Bacoor City's breakout stars.

"Siguro plano din talaga ng Panginoon na ibigay sa akin ang ganitong reward," Nermal said during the pre-finals press conference on Wednesday at the Bodega Bar and Restaurant.

He even thought the Strikers making the national finals was a surprise in itself considering the road they had to take earlier in the playoffs.

Bacoor City had to bounce back from a shocking Game 1 loss to Iloilo for a reverse sweep in the first round before eliminating Zamboanga, last year's runner-up, in the South Division semifinals.

The Strikers then swept the Batangas City Embassy Chill, the MPBL's inaugural champions, in the South finals highlighted by a near fourth-quarter shutdown in Game 2 to complete the comeback win.

Jhan Nermal's road from welder to 'homesick' college prospect to new MPBL star

For Jhan Nermal, personally, just making the MPBL National Finals is already a huge milestone considering how his basketball journey began.

Due to his family's financial constraints, Nermal had to defer tertiary education for two years after finishing high school.

Nermal, who was born in Hinigaran before his family moved to Kabankalan, even decided to take up a vocational course in welding so he could quickly take a job to earn money, but from time to time, he joined ligang labas events in his locality.

However, it was when a scout dropped by at one of his games that he got his first career-changing moment: trying out and eventually getting recruited at West Negros University.

That would mean, though, that he had to move his residence to Bacolod, and even now that he lives in Luzon, he wants to go back home to Kabankalan soon enough.

"Naho-homesick ako. Gusto ko na ngang umuwi eh kahit noong dumating ako dito sa MPBL. Pinigilan lang din ako ni Kuya Mark Marcos na, 'Mag-stay ka.' Di ko naman in-expect na magtatagal ako sa MPBL kasi probinsyano nga ako, malayo sa Maynila," Nermal further said.

Marcos was the coach who saw Nermal in action in ligang labas play leading to his recruitment at WNU.

Nermal turned pro in 2019, first suiting up for Bulacan in the MPBL.

Two years later, just when professional basketball began resuming action amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he got his first PBA experience when he joined San Miguel in the inaugural 3x3 season.

Nermal then returned to pro 5-on-5 play in the MPBL, playing for hometown team Bacolod last year before signing up with Bacoor City for the soon-to-end 2023 season.

This year, however, turned out to be Nermal's biggest season, currently being the Strikers' second-leading scorer with 12.1 points per game up to the division finals along with 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists.

NLEX was even so impressed with the now 30-year-old swingman's progress that the team selected him 21st overall in the recent PBA Draft.

"Ito yung bunga ng pinaghirapan ko," Nermal further said.

When asked what he vows to do once he finally makes the jump to the PBA, Nermal simply answered, "Ibibigay ko yung best ko."

The Road Warriors, though, would have to wait a little while before they can sign Nermal up as the Strikers are in the MPBL Finals against the Pampanga Giant Lanterns beginning on Saturday night.

If there is one piece of advice Nermal would give to youngsters who could be turning to basketball too to provide for their families, it's this: "Sipagan niyo lang talaga. Kung ano man ang goal mo sa buhay, paghirapan mo rin. Di pwede yung ibibigay lang sayo ng Panginoon tapos tutulog-tulog ka lang. Tiwala lang sa Panginoon."

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