Another Bullpup will grow up as a Bulldog.
Heady point guard Steve Nash Enriquez committed to remain at National University, Tuesday evening.
“Siyempre, iniisip ko kung saan yung school kung san ako magfi-fit. Kung ano natulong ko sa high school, gusto ko rin matulong sa college,” said the 18-year-old Cebuano.
“Mas umangat talaga yung loyalty ko. Gusto ko rin makatulong yung mga kakampi ko dati na nasa NU pa rin. Madami din ako kakilala na Cebuano nasa NU rin.”
“Great addition sa amin si Nash because he has developed into a great leader sa juniors program namin,” said Bulldogs head coach Jeff Napa.
“Happy kami that he chose to remain sa amin.”
Back in 2018, Enriquez was named to the National Basketball Training Center’s Elite 60 that saw him and three others join the Gilas Youth pool.
Enriquez, a native of Minglanilla, Cebu, would then decide to remain in Manila. He transferred from University of Visayas to Nazareth School of National University.
In his two-year stay with the Bullpups, Enriquez played a total of 31 UAAP games, totaling 115 points, 55 assists, and 30 steals. The 5-foot-9 1/2 floor general played behind Gerry Abadiano during that time.
Of course, there will be pressure now that he won’t have Abadiano and Terrence Fortea on his side. It’s a challenge he is willing to work on during the next few months.
“Siyempre, malaking trabaho ang gagawin ko. Ako po, hindi po ako ganun kagaling pero yung puso ko nandun palagi. Ready ako na ibigay ang lahat para matulungan yung school.
“Ngayon, pinapalakas ko rin yung katawan ko. Dasal talaga palagi kasi malaking opportunity ito na makalaro sa NU kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Jeff at Boss Manny [Sy]. Pagsisikapan ko itong first year ko sa college,” he said.
Season 83 would have been his breakout year, but the tournament ultimately got scrapped due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Enriquez joins fellow Bullpups Karl Gloria, Reyland Torres, and PJ Palacielo that have chosen to remain in NU.
And having Torres on his side will make his transition to the collegiate game much easier.
“Malaking bagay yun kasi kilala ko na sila. Sa laro, hindi na kami magkakapaan pa. Siyempre si Reyland isa sa mga best friend ko yan, parang kapatid ko na nga e. Kaming tatlo ni Harold [Alarcon] ang tropa talaga.”
