If you haven’t been paying attention to the Batangas City Tanduay Athletics lately, you’re missing the most efficient scorched-earth tour in regional basketball. Jhan Nermal isn’t just playing well; he’s playing like a man who realizes he accidentally left the stove on at home and needs to finish the game in a hurry.
It’s no secret that the Converge FiberXers were kicking the tires on Nermal in the past. They saw the potential of a mobile, high-gravity wing who could stretch the floor. Looking at what he’s doing right now in the 2026 MPBL season, Converge management might be looking at their old scouting reports with a fair bit of "the one that got away" regret.
The "Special" Statline: Efficiency Meets Chaos
Let’s pull over the car and look at these numbers, because they don’t actually make sense for someone playing limited minutes. Nermal is currently averaging:
16.7 Points in just 21.2 Minutes
49% Field Goal Percentage
2.7 Three-Pointers Made (on a blistering 47% 3FG)
6.0 Rebounds
1.7 Steals and 1.3 Blocks
Why is this "special"? In the world of basketball analytics, we look at per-minute productivity. Nermal is scoring nearly 0.8 points for every minute he breathes on the court. That is elite-level efficiency.
But it’s the 47% from deep that should have PBA scouts hyperventilating. In a league that is increasingly becoming about "spacing and pace," Nermal isn't just a shooter; he’s a flamethrower who also happens to be a defensive menace. Averaging over 1 steal and 1 block as a wing proves he has the "stocks" (steals + blocks) to survive a high-level professional rotation. He’s the ultimate "3-and-D" plug-and-play asset that every modern coach dreams of.
3 PBA Teams That Need to Make the Call
As Nermal continues to outgrow the regional circuit, here are three PBA destinations where he could immediately move the needle:
#3. Barangay Ginebra
With the unfortunate injury to Jayson David, the Gin Kings have a glaring vacancy for a high-energy, versatile wing who can defend multiple positions. Nermal’s ability to hit the corner three and provide secondary rim protection makes him a perfect fit for Tim Cone’s disciplined, two-way system.
#2. Terrafirma Dyip
The Dyip’s philosophy has always been about stockpiling as much raw, explosive talent as possible to stay competitive in a heavyweight league. Adding a "ready-made" scorer like Nermal would give Terrafirma another legitimate weapon to flank their young core and keep defenses honest.
#1. Blackwater Bossing
Nermal’s "Unicorn-lite" playing style is the missing piece for a Blackwater team that is already building a terrifying offensive identity. His floor-spacing would create massive lanes for the "Big 3" of Barefield, Panopio, and David, turning the Bossing into a legitimate track-meet nightmare for the rest of the league.
Related Article: PBA Free Agency: Blackwater draftee top 3 potential destination!
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