From La Salle to NLEX, Winston Embraces His Basketball Journey

Schonny Winston has worn different colors and played different roles since arriving in Philippine basketball. 

There was the green and white of La Salle, where he became one of the UAAP’s best players before his stint ended under difficult circumstances. 

Then came Converge, which gave him his first opportunity in the PBA. 

Now, at NLEX, the talented Fil-American guard appears to have found another place he can call home.

Through all the stops, setbacks and changes, Winston prefers to look back with gratitude.

“I’m so grateful for all. The lessons I’ve learned, and all glory to God that I’m still able to play, starting from La Salle. I love La Salle. I love my guys there. Last time I played, Evan (Nelle) was on my team. We were teammates,” he told ALL-STAR Magazine in an exclusive interview.

“And then, there’s Converge. I used to play for Converge and now, I’m playing against them. I think it’s been a journey and I’m grateful for it all.”

A Journey That Started Long Before the PBA

Winston’s basketball journey had already taken him through several different environments before the Philippines ever became part of the story.

The 6-foot-4 guard from California began his collegiate career in the Pac-12 with the California Golden Bears before transferring to City College of San Francisco, where he earned all-state honors and helped the Rams finish with a 31-2 record. He eventually returned to NCAA Division I basketball with Central Michigan.

A Star Is Born at La Salle

Then came another leap.

Winston moved halfway around the world to join De La Salle University and quickly made himself known in the UAAP.

In his first season with the Green Archers, Winston averaged 13.4 points per game and helped La Salle reach the Final Four of Season 84. A year later, he went from being a productive guard to an MVP frontrunner.

Through the first round of Season 85, Winston produced 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists and three steals per game, numbers that put him firmly in the race for the league’s top individual honor.

An Abrupt End, A New Beginning

Then came the setback that changed the course of his final collegiate season.

Winston suffered a calf injury that kept him out for most of the second round. He later described it as a torn calf, while then-La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren said Winston had been cleared to resume training without restrictions.

The disagreement over his recovery eventually became public. Winston was not with the Green Archers’ bench for their knockout game against Adamson for the final Final Four spot, although he still went to the Mall of Asia Arena and watched from the stands alongside his father as La Salle lost, 80-76.

It was an unfortunate conclusion to a collegiate career that had once appeared headed toward an MVP award.

Yet Winston has continued to speak fondly about La Salle.

Years later, returning to the Mall of Asia Arena in another uniform — and this time facing the PBA team that had become his next basketball home — brought back plenty of memories.

“It was such a surreal experience because last time I played here, I was wearing a different jersey,” said Winston. “I missed the La Salle days. But I’m happy to be where I am now with NLEX. It was really a surreal moment playing in this arena. I spent two, three years playing here.”

La Salle gave Winston the platform to establish himself in Philippine basketball, and his performances also pushed him closer to another goal: Gilas Pilipinas.

Winston was approved by FIBA in 2022 to represent the Philippines as a local player. In early 2023, he was called into the Gilas pool for the final window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, joining a group of collegiate standouts that included Jerom Lastimosa, Kevin Quiambao, and Mason Amos.

He trained with the national team but did not make the final lineup.

Still, the invitation showed how far his stock had risen. Months later, Winston entered the 2023 PBA Draft and was selected ninth overall by the Converge FiberXers.

Growing Into a Pro

His adjustment to professional basketball did not happen overnight.

Winston averaged 9.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his rookie season, then steadily grew into a larger role. By the following season, he was producing 13.1 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.2 assists across 41 games, while showing the scoring ability that once made him such a difficult matchup in the UAAP.

His production continued to rise, including a 2025 Philippine Cup run in which he averaged just over 16 points per game.

But Converge’s backcourt was changing. Juan Gomez de Liaño emerged as another major piece, while former Finals MVP Mikey Williams was eventually brought into the fold. In February 2026, Winston and veteran Kevin Racal were sent to NLEX as part of a three-team trade involving the FiberXers and Meralco.

Another jersey. Another adjustment.

For Winston, the answer remained the same: work.

“You just have to continuously grow as a player, learning,” said Winston. “You just have to put in the hard work every single day. Spending more time in the gym, watching films, and being able to just play.”

A Statement Against His Former Team

Five months after the trade, Winston finally got the chance to face his former team.

There was no shortage of familiar faces standing across from him.

Gomez de Liano, Williams, and defensive ace Alec Stockton gave Converge one of the deeper guard rotations in the league. Winston answered the challenge with one of his best performances of the Governors’ Cup, scoring 24 points while adding six rebounds and five assists in NLEX’s 119-107 victory.

It wasn’t a smooth 24, either. Winston struggled early before finding his rhythm after halftime, scoring 17 of his points over the final two quarters and helping NLEX pull away.

“Mikey, Juan, Alec, they’re all good guards. It was competitive the moment I was matched up with the players of that team,” said Winston.

“They want to score, I want to play defense and vice versa. We know they’re gonna get out there and compete, but we want to bring a lot of energy in this game.”

Newly installed NLEX coach Jimmy Alapag, himself one of the best guards in PBA history, watched Winston take control when the Road Warriors needed him.

“I know Converge had a tough loss last time, so we expected them to come out, but I think Schonny kinda took over in the game in the second half for us to get the win,” said Alapag.

Feeling at Home in NLEX

The victory pushed NLEX to 5-0. Three days later, the Road Warriors survived TNT, 88-83, to complete a perfect 6-0 sweep of their first round of Governors’ Cup assignments.

For a player whose basketball life has involved so much movement, the early days of the Alapag era have offered something Winston has rarely been afforded for long: stability.

He is playing alongside one of the PBA’s premier guards in Robert Bolick, learning under one of the greatest point guards Philippine basketball has produced and playing meaningful minutes for the league’s only unbeaten team.

Maybe there will be more stops ahead. Basketball has already taught Winston not to take anything for granted.

For now, however, he sounds like someone who is exactly where he wants to be.

“I love NLEX. I love my team, I love my Coach. I love the bosses,” said Winston. “I love my teammates and we’ve learned to compete and play with each other. These are my guys.”