High on Haitian Lalanne

NLEX coach Jong Uichico is upbeat on Haitian import Cady Lalanne who makes his PBA debut in the Commissioner’s Cup starting March 11. So are the Meralco Bolts who were in the chase for Lalanne’s services. Lalanne, however, may still suit up for Meralco in EASL. Bolts coach Nenad Vucinic will decide today on whether to sign up Lalanne or another import, possibly Cameron Clark, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s replacement.

Meralco plays Ryukyu in a do-or-die game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday. If the Bolts advance to the EASL playoffs, they’ll battle in Macau on March 18-22 and skip a few PBA game days.

Uichico says Lalanne is a LaMarcus Aldridge play-alike, referring to the 16-year NBA veteran who averaged 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds in his pro career. Lalanne is on the lean side with a decent three-point shot and mid-range game, adds Uichico.

What’s impressive in Lalanne’s resume is he’s often invited to return to where he played before, an indication of his attitude, hoop skills and professionalism. Lalanne played three years in Puerto Rico and four in Korea. The 6-10, 248-pound center was with the San Antonio Spurs in six NBA Summer Leagues although he never got to play in the regular season.

Lalanne was born in Port-au-Prince and moved to the US when he was seven. He saw action in three years at Oak Ridge High School in Orlando, Florida then four at the University of Massachusetts whose outstanding hoopers were Julius Erving and Marcus Camby. Lalanne averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds, shooting 65.8 percent from the line, with the Minutemen. He ended his varsity eligibility as one of only three UMass players to compile 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 100 blocked shots with Lou Roe and Harper Williams.

Lalanne was picked on the second round by the Spurs in the 2015 draft and toured the world playing as an import in Puerto Rico, China, Italy, Turkey, Spain, Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon and Taiwan. In 2019-20, he was the KBL’s top scorer and second leading rebounder with the Changwon LG Sakers.

NLEX wound up eighth in the just-concluded Philippine Cup with a 6-6 mark. The Road Warriors had a blistering 4-1 start but lost its last four, including a 101-94 decision to top seed San Miguel Beer in the quarterfinals. Robert Bolick missed the last two games in the elims to attend his father’s funeral in the US but came back to fire 31 in the loss to SMB. Rookie LJ Gonzales, fresh from the MPBL, jumped aboard in the quarters to collect six points, five rebounds and three assists.

“No new players except for Cady,” says Uichico. “(Assistant coach) Siot (Tanquingcen) left to concentrate on NU. LJ’s doing well and he can relieve Bolick from playing point guard.” With Lalanne in harness, the Road Warriors look to improve on their finish last conference.