Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo from William Woods University

Basketball

Despite going to Ginebra, Brian Enriquez will forever look back on ‘lost year’ with wonder


Late last year, Brian Enriquez had firmly decided to join University of the East for a one-and-done stint in the UAAP. Eight months later, he is now a Gin King.

It was an unexpected twist for the 25-year-old Filipino-American guard, as he was drafted by Ginebra as the 13th overall pick in the 2021 PBA Draft.

Even Enriquez himself felt a little surprised with how things turned out last Sunday.

“Yeah I was pretty surprised,” Enriquez told Tiebreaker Times.

“But I had a feeling that after my workout that there was a chance I could fall to them. Just wasnā€™t sure what round it would be.”

Enriquez is a versatile swingman who stands at 6-foot-3, but was little-known entering the draft. A quick search on the internet would show that he played and studied at William Woods University, a private school in Fulton, Missouri.

The UAAP would have been his introduction, but Season 83 was wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic. Same with the prelude to the draft madness, the rookie combine.

And so he had to make it big during the tryouts. There, he was able to have a quick chat with decorated head coach Tim Cone.

It was love at first sight, to say the least.

“Iā€™m really excited to be part of such a winning culture.

“Coach Tim Cone is one of the best to ever do it, so getting to pick his brain every day can only help me grow as a player and also as a person,” gushed Enriquez.

Enriquez admits he knows little about Philippine basketball save for watching a few Ginebra games. But he admires the likes of LA Tenorio, Jared Dillinger, and Joe Devance.

#ReadMore  Calvin Abueva immediately leaves venue after Manila Clasico ejection

Another thing he admires is the One Ginebra Nation and its ‘Never Say Die’ culture. With that, he needs to brush on a lot.

“I donā€™t know much about it but I do know itā€™s a proven culture. Back-to-back championships is a tough task for any team.”

Everything might have ended well for Enriquez. But of course, there’s a part of him that will always look back on his “lost year.”

“I wouldnā€™t say it was worth skipping because I do wish I could have gotten a season in with Coach Jack [Santiago] and Coach Jamike [Jarin] in UE, but I do understand that life throws things at you and itā€™s your job to adapt and grow. Iā€™m grateful for how everything turned out but a part of me wonders what could have been.”

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

RJ Abarrientos is embracing whatever role he’s given, and Wednesday night saw the rookie thrive as Barangay Ginebra’s energy guy off the bench. The...

Basketball

Ginebra booked its place in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup quarterfinals by putting an end to the hopes of Phoenix, 112-96, for an...

Basketball

Despite his early struggles, Ethan Galang embraced a “shooters shoot” mentality when University of the East needed him most. Galang showcased his three-point shooting...

Basketball

Ethan Galang showcased his three-point shooting prowess in the final moments as University of the East sent Far Eastern University to another fourth-quarter meltdown,...

Basketball

Marcio Lassiter wrote history and inspired San Miguel to a flat-out 131-82 domination of Ginebra in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup rematch for...

Basketball

Just two games into his debut with the University of the Philippines, 6-foot-7 big man Gani Stevens found himself on the other side of...

Basketball

Hearing and singing the “UE Hymn” after a long time struck an emotional chord with Noy Remogat. Once a standout for the Red Warriors...

Basketball

University of the Philippines cruised past University of the East, securing an 81-71 victory to claim its second win of the UAAP Season 87...

Advertisement