The NLEX Road Warriors looked primed for a top-four finish in the PBA Philippine Cup before they unraveled in the final turn of the eliminations. They will be trying to bounce back in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup with the help of the well-traveled Cady Lalanne, who was among the first reinforcements announced for the midseason tourney.
Cady Lalanne, the Globetrotter
Lalanne, a 6-foot-10 Haitian big man, had a standout college career in US NCAA Division I play, playing four seasons for the University of Massachusetts and ending up as one of just three players in UMass history to record 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, and 100 blocks in a career. He was then selected by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2015 NBA Draft, although he couldn’t quite make it to the big league.
Instead, he joined the Spurs’ D-League affiliate, the Austin Spurs, and became one of the league’s best bigs. A year later, Lalanne took his talents overseas, latching on with the Capitanes de Arecibo of the Puerto Rican league to start what has eventually become a globetrotting basketball career. He’s had stops in Italy, Turkey, and Spain in Europe before making a beeline for Asia by way of Kuwait, Korea, China, and Taiwan.
Cady Lalanne last played for the Kaohsiung Aquas of the Taiwan Professional Basketball League, where he averaged 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steal, and 0.8 block in 12 games.
Solid Showing for Cady Lalanne in EASL Stint
Filipino fans got an early look at Lalanne recently when he suited up as the third import of the Meralco Bolts in their win-or-go-home match with the Ryukyu Golden Kings. And the 33-year-old Haitian looked to be a good fit for Filipino-style basketball, flashing an inside-out game in the Bolts’ heartbreaking loss to the Golden Kings.
Lalanne finished with 18 points on 6-for-11 shooting on top of 5 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block. He scored on the post, excelled at midrange, and even made a couple of triples, showing he could make for a great target for NLEX playmaker extraordinaire Robert Bolick.
But whether or not he’s what the doctor ordered for the Road Warriors is for everyone to see.
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Other Imports:
Justin Brownlee | Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
