Enoch Valdez proved Frankie Lim right of picking him in the last PBA Rookie Draft after helping NLEX stay alive in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.
The former Lyceum star was the surprise spark in the Road Warriors’ 107-103 victory over Converge on Wednesday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
He finished with 19 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter alone, on a 4-of-6 clip from beyond the arc, alongside nine rebounds and a steal.
And he made the most out of the 35 minutes and 15 seconds he was utilized as a starter.
The veteran mentor felt vindicated of his decision to use their 18th overall pick on Valdez, who’s presently the league’s youngest active player at 23.
“Great player,” said Lim. “Alam mo, he’s very aggressive, and he’s also masipag in practice. He comes in early, takes some shots, gets out of the gym late, nag-e-extra siya and it’s paying off. Matapang eh.”
“Even before the draft, when I saw him practice with our team, I was already telling my coaches, ‘I’m going to pick this guy.’ ‘Pag ito nag-landing sa atin, I’m going to get him, for sure.’“
Wednesday was the third straight game that the Pangasinan native scored in double digits after going scoreless in his PBA debut last December 8.
He only needed that small of a window to get used to his new team but all the credit goes to the Road Warriors’ guidance, Valdez offered.
“Winelcome naman nila ako ng maayos. Lagi naman nila akong gina-guide. Kaya parang na-blend agad, yung communication sa team,” he said.
Plus, he isn’t doing anything special whatsoever, only taking the simple advice of his coaches which has surely been the key behind his solid showings thus far.
“Ginawa ko lang po ‘yung pinapagawa ng coaches. ‘Pag open tira. Yun naman po ‘yung ginagawa ko sa training. And they allow me to take the three points.”
Still, Valdez refuses to settle with where he is now, acknowledging that there are plenty of lessons to be learned playing in the big league.
“Sa pisikalan medyo OK naman, kaso naaano lang ako sa mga tawag ng referee.Sa NC[AA], siyempre beterano ka roon; [dito] ‘pag rookie ka ‘di mo makuha ‘yung respeto ng referee. Pero over time makukuha ko rin,” he said.
