NLEX taps Selden to replace Simmons

NLEX coach Frankie Lim said he would have liked to see Jonathon Simmons stay for a fifth and final game when the team goes up against crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday before flying to China. Unfortunately, the Chinese ballclub wanted no further delay as it expects the former San Antonio Spur to leave for China on Sunday, a day after Simmons plays his fourth and final match for NLEX which faces winless Phoenix on Saturday.

“I was asking him to stay one more game so he gets to play against Ginebra,” Lim said on Wednesday night, moments after NLEX pulled off a huge comefrom-behind win against TNT 110-108 in the battle of unbeaten teams at the PhilSports Arena.

“But he can’t (stay). I think they (Chinese team) want him to be there right away.”

Lim tried making light of Simmons’ impending departure.

“If he can find his passport…” said Lim with a grin.

Simmons was at his usual element, dropping 26 of his gamehigh 45 points in the second half, while getting the much-needed help from Kevin Alas in the last period to pull off the king-sized upset against sister team TNT.

The veteran mentor spoke highly of the 33-year-old American for leading the team and remaining unscathed three games into the conference.

“I don’t really know what happened and [how we] won the game,” he said. “I thought it was a lost ball game, but give credit to this guy who brought us back.”

The Road Warriors currently share the lead in the standings with Converge FiberXers.

Simmons, a sweet-shooting import, averaged 36.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists in three games.

Simmons will be replaced by Wayne Selden, another NBA veteran, who previously played for the Memphis Grizzlies.