Asaytono is one of the best players ever to step up in a less-known university in University of Manila under the tutelage of former pro Loreto Tolentino, his coach at UM Hawks. His first national stint was being part of the RPYouth team that played in the 9th ABC Youth Championships held in Manila. He would become a member of the national team that same year in 1987 under coach Joe Lipa. Asaytono also played for coach Derrick Pumaren at Magnolia Ice Cream in the PABL and won three championships.
Asaytono was drafted as the 2nd overall pick by the Purefoods Hotdogs in 1989. He played three seasons for the ballclub that has most of his former national teammates; Jojo Lastimosa, Alvin Patrimonio, Jerry Codiñera, Glenn Capacio and Dindo Pumaren. With Patrimonio at the starting forward, Nelson mostly would come off the bench. He won two championships at Purefoods. In his final season as a Tender Juicy Hotdog in 1991, he had a notable performances during the All-Filipino finals against Diet Sarsi.
Swift/Sunkist
In late 1991, Asaytono was traded by Purefoods to Swift in exchange for first round picks in 1994 and 1995. He joined the list of PBA millionaires as he was signed to a lucrative pact by the RFM franchise. For two seasons with Swift, Asaytono made it to the mythical five selection and a decent run at the Most Valuable Player plum. In 1993, he was second in the statistical race but would up third after the polls in a frustrated bid for the most coveted award. With Vergel Meneses' first full season with Swift in 1994, Asaytono could only make it to the mythical second team selection but still performed well, averaging 18.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in 65 games. After winning four championships with Swift/Sunkist, Asaytono was traded to San Miguel Beermen, his former team in the amateurs, in April 1996 for one-time MVP Renato Agustin.
San Miguel Beermen
Asaytono's trade to San Miguel proved to be the turning point of his career. He became go-to-guy in Coach Ron Jacobs's rotation as well as its franchise player. In 1997, he became one of the forerunners for the MVP award but he again came short to former teammate Alvin Patrimonio. Although he lost the MVP race, he led the league in scoring. When the team drafted future MVP Danny Ildefonso in the 1998 season, his minutes was again reduced but still he led the team in scoring. He led Beermen to the finals twice in All Filipino and Commissioner's Cup in that season, but came up short in both occasions to the Alaska Milkmen. A year later, when Jong Uichico took over the coaching reins from Jacobs, he was relegated to the bench and was eventually traded to his former team, the Pop Cola 800s for Dwight Lago, Boybits Victoria, and Nic Belasco.
Pop Cola, Red Bull, Career Milestone and Retirement
Asaytono's second stint Pop Cola was a forgettable one, as he started to slow down as he was still at the bench. He spent his last four seasons with the Red Bull Barako until the 2005-06 season. On April 7, 2005, he passed Crispa great Philip Cezar for the fifth spot all-time scoring list after tallying with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Currently, he is fifth in the PBA all-time scoring list with 12,268 total points in 796 career games, behind only Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio and Atoy Co.
Non-inclusion in the 40 Greatest PBA Players of All-Time
Many basketball fans and even basketball experts and former PBA players are disappointed that Nelson Asaytono was not included on the 40 Greatest PBA Players of All-Time. Majority says that Nelson Asaytono's achievement should have been recognized by including him to the list. Asaytono is the fifth all-time leading scorer of the PBA behind only such great players Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Alvin Patrimonio and Atoy CO
