Simon Enciso finally proves worth to San Miguel

No one felt happier to see Simon Enciso turn in his best performance thus far in a San Miguel uniform than head coach Leo Austria.

The 5-foot-11 gunslinger did so on Saturday, contributing to the Beermen’s balanced attack. That led to a mighty wire-to-wire victory against, coincidentally, his former team Blackwater, 107-88.

He finished with 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field – including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc – in an efficient outing. He also collected a pair of rebounds and assists without a turnover in over 27 minutes of play.

Most importantly, SMB collected its second consecutive win after starting the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup with back-to-back losses.

“That’s what we’re waiting for, ‘no,” said the four-time Coach of the Year postgame at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “Because there are times in the practice na yung shooting streak niya makikita mo.

“He’s one of the key players na we’re hoping and relying na mag-step up, especially with the absence of some point guard on our team,” added Austria, referring to the absence of the grieving Chris Ross.

Enciso struggled in his first games with his new team, who acquired him from Terrafirma by trading Alex Cabagnot in a one-for-one deal.

The Fil-Am cager was actually a starter in his debut game last December 8 against NLEX. There, he only had two points, two rebounds, and a steal as San Miguel absorbed a 102-114 beating.

He then had six points, three boards, and a dime in their following match against Alaska. However, it led to a 94-99 defeat as well.

The Beermen managed to break through at the expense of NorthPort by way of a 91-88 escape. Enciso, though, did not make himself felt as he went scoreless.

“Maybe nape-pressure siya na you’re not only a shooter here, but you’re also a point guard because of the absence of Chris Ross. He’s trying his best to do the job of a point guard,” offered Austria regarding those struggles.

Thus, the elation of the champion mentor to see his new guard break out.

“This game, I’m happy for him. He was able to break that slump,” Austria said.