- Nelbert Omolon
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Nelbert Omolon Alias "Bitoy"/"Sparkplug" Jersey No. 7 Position Small Forward Current Team Meralco Bolts Personal Info Country Philippines Born June 30, 1980
Talakag, Bukidnon, PhilippinesHeight 6 ft. 4 in. Weight 185 lbs. College Philippine Christian University Career Highlights Draft 2004, 8th overall
by Sta. Lucia RealtorsPro Career 2004 – present Also played for Sta. Lucia Realtors (2004-2010) Awards Received Nelbert Omolon (born June 30, 1980 in Talakag, Bukidnon) is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Meralco Bolts. He is a very versatile player who can score inside and outside, and can play multiple positions as well. He was drafted eighth overall in the class of 2004 together that included Rich Alvarez, Marc Pingris, James Yap, Ranidel de Ocampo, Gary David, and Wesley Gonzales.
Player Profile
Omolon did not learn how to play when he was a kid. He never even liked the game until he grew from 5’7 as a high school freshman to 6’2 as junior. He then joined a powerhouse Xavier University High School Ateneo de Cagayan basketball squad, a program rich in high school basketball success in Cagayan de Oro City. There his talents were honed as he played his first ever organized basketball under the tutelage of highly-regarded Cagayan de Oro basketball coach, Emmanuel "Manny" Diaz. His teammates included UE stalwart, Jay-Arr Estrada and former NBC (now Liga Pilipinas) player Andrew Neri. That was when Omolon realized he might have a future in basketball.
The youngest of three boys, he was born and grew up in Talakag, Bukidnon, about a 30-minute drive from the Cagayan de Oro airport. After playing in PCU, he took his sneakers to the Philippine Basketball League where he suited up for Osaka-La Salle and ICTSI under coach Franz Pumaren and Welcoat under Coach Leo Austria.
Omolon scored a personal high 40 points on 11-of-16 shooting in the two-point area and hitting 4-of-5 beyond the arc with nine boards as Sta. Lucia earned its first ever outright semifinals slot on January 13, 2008 with a 123-106 rout over the Air21 Express.
A player who ever reliable on both ends of the floor due to his unrelenting defense and efficient offense, Bitoy has continued to impress his coaches in the pro league to this day. He is a player who is always tasked to guard the opposing team's best player and even imports. He can be the team MVP of the game and not score a point. Although possessing a limited array of offensive moves, Nelbert has showed he can do it as well on offense. With an improved outside shot these days, he is looked to provide a complimentary role to his more offensive-minded teammates in Meralco.
Omolon already has one ring with the Sta. Lucia Realtors. He helped the team to clamp on effective defense against James Yap which put the latter scoreless during the six-minute span of the fourth quarter.
External links
Meralco Bolts current roster Sta. Lucia Realtors 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup Champions Categories:- 1980 births
- Filipino basketball players
- Living people
- Filipino basketball biography stubs
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