Long before they wore different college jerseys, Harold Alarcon and Steve Nash Enriquez often found themselves on opposite sides of the court in the province — a friendly rivalry that unexpectedly became the foundation of a lasting friendship.
Back then, Enriquez suited up for the University of the Visayas, while Alarcon starred for Tay Tung High School in Bacolod.
They crossed paths countless times in regional tournaments across the Visayas, each game a showcase of their budding talent.
Their performances eventually drew attention beyond their hometowns, earning both invitations to the NBTC Elite 60 Camp in Manila.
“Nagkakilala kami ni Harold noong 2018. Actually, nagkakalaban na kami sa Cebu at Bacolod,” Enriquez recalled.
“Nagkalaban na kami sa Roxas noong 2016, tapos noong 2017 sa Cebu. Ayun, maraming beses na kaming nagkaharap.”
Building a Bond
Their connection deepened at the Elite 60 Camp, where the two young guards — both from the Visayas — found themselves far from home, surrounded by players from all over the country.
It was there that their friendship truly began. Away from the familiar courts of the Visayas, Alarcon and Enriquez naturally gravitated toward each other, the only Bisaya players in the camp.
What started as casual conversations between drills soon grew into an unbreakable bond — one that would carry on long after the camp ended.
They became so close that even their parents eventually developed a friendship of their own.
“Kami lang ‘yung mga Bisaya dun, so siya ‘yung naging… ‘Di pa kami close nun, pero siya ‘yung naging kasama ko palagi nung camp na ‘yun. One week ‘yun, kami lang lagi magkasamang dalawa, so dun nag-ano ‘yung samahan namin,” Enriquez recalled about the camp held at Colegio de San Agustin Gym in Makati City.
After the camp, the two kept in touch and eventually made a decision that would change the course of their young careers: to make the jump together to National University Nazareth School.
“Kami rin nag-usap na mag-NU kami nung high school, so ‘yun ‘yung nangyari. The rest is history na, magkaibigan din ‘yung parents namin, so ‘yun sobrang close namin,” Enriquez added.
Lasting Memories
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
That move paid off as both became part of National University Nazareth School’s boys’ basketball program. There, they thrived under the same system and shared the court in back-to-back championship runs in Seasons 81 and 82.
Their partnership, however, was short-lived.
When it came time for college, the two took separate paths — Alarcon joined University of the Philippines, while Enriquez stayed with National University.
Even though their on-court partnership ended, their friendship never wavered.
They still caught up whenever their schedules aligned, exchanged playful banter when facing each other, and occasionally teamed up in ‘ligang labas’ tournaments.
“Yun nga, sa chat nag-uusap din kami. Sabi niya nga rin na ang bilis nga ng panahon, last playing year na namin,” Alarcon said.
From being kids who shared dreams in summer leagues, the two have come a long way.
Last Wednesday, those journeys converged once more, as Alarcon and Enriquez faced each other in what could be their final UAAP game on the same court.
“Syempre seize the moment na namin. ‘Yung mga moments na huli na sa UAAP, sa career namin, enjoy lang namin. Kung ano lang ‘yung ginagawa namin dati, siyempre magkalaban kami kailangan din namin mag-compete,” Alarcon said after dropping 24 points — his best performance this season — in UP’s 78-74 win over NU.
“Ano lang, siyempre bilang best friend ko si Harold, ano lang, enjoy lang namin ‘yung moment na habang nandito pa kami sa college. Kasi mami-miss namin ‘to balang araw, mami-miss namin ‘tong journey kasi nga college basketball is different talaga sa pro. Enjoy lang namin and bigay lang namin ‘yung best namin habang nasa college pa kami,” Enriquez added.
Playing against each other — possibly for the final time in the UAAP — stirred a flood of memories and emotions.
Both admitted they’d love to reunite and play side by side again after college, but for now, only time will tell if that wish will come true.
“Syempre naguusap kami, ‘di natin alam. Is God lang talaga nakakaalam, so kung ano ‘yung plano ni Lord, ayun,” Enriquez said.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
#WATCH: “ANG BILIS NG PANAHON”
Harold Alarcon reflects on what could be his last collegiate matchup against best friend Steve Nash Enriquez — unless they meet again in the playoffs ✊🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/GxyIOnErJq
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/04iAiLNCBt
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 22, 2025
#WATCH: “MAMI-MISS NAMIN ‘TO”
Steve Nash Enriquez shares that facing his best friend Harold Alarcon through the years is a memory they’ll cherish forever 🐶🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/GxyIOnErJq
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/4Ky9nCw29q
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) October 22, 2025
