If there ever was a decision that Steve Nash Enriquez did not regret in his 22 years, it was his choice to commit to National University — the school that welcomed him with open arms after recruiting him during the NBTC Elite 60 camp over seven years ago in 2018.
Even though he had the opportunity to transfer to another program after his freshman year, Enriquez chose to remain at NU, valuing the trust and support the Bulldogs had shown him from the very beginning.
Enriquez’s time with the Bulldogs may have ended in a heartbreaking 73-78 loss to the DLSU Green Archers in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Basketball Final Four, but he leaves the program with an untroubled heart.
For someone who was once a dreamer growing up in Minglanilla, Cebu, Enriquez is simply grateful that NU took a chance on him — a player who once could only dream of competing under the bright lights of the country’s premier collegiate league.
“Yes. Pinaka-best na decision and I’m so blessed na binigay ito ni Lord sa akin. Walang regrets, no regrets na pinili ko yung NU.
“I am so thankful na tinanggap nila ako ng dalawang kamay. Alam ko na kahit nung natalo kami, parang nagluksa rin sila para sa amin. Alam ko naman na sobrang mahal ako ng NU sa sobrang tagal ko dito,” Enriquez told reporters after his final UAAP game.
“I’m so grateful na na-experience ko itong UAAP, at the same time, na nakapaglaro ako sa NU. Hindi ko ito ipapagpalit itong eight to nine years ko dito. I’m so grateful na tinanggap nila yung mga tulad ko na nangangarap ako dati,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
It was indeed heartbreaking for Enriquez to see the Bulldogs’ twice-to-beat advantage once again erased by the Green Archers — a painful echo of what the program endured in Season 76.
However, the 5-foot-9 guard revealed that the setback can only serve as preparation for the bigger challenges that lie ahead in his professional basketball career, whether in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League or the Philippine Basketball Association.
“Sadly, hindi lang talaga namin nakuha, pero siguro pinagpe-pray ko pa rin, lalo sa mga grumaduate, na hindi ‘man para sa amin itong college basketball na mag-champion kami — hopefully, kung saan ‘man kami dadalhin ni Lord sa pro career namin, baka doon maging masaya,” Enriquez shared.
“Hindi ‘man kami nanalo dito, pero hindi natin alam yung will ni Lord na baka manalo kami sa buhay. ‘Yon lang, marami pa kami challenges na haharapin, and there’s one of this challenge na heartbreak dito sa UAAP.”
Before plotting the next step of his budding career, Enriquez will take on a cheerleading role, rooting for the University of the Philippines — featuring the “Maroon 5” of former high school teammates Terrence Fortea, Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Reyland Torres, and Janjan Felicilda — ahead of its third consecutive Finals clash against La Salle on Wednesday, December 10, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
His support isn’t just a return of the support that the Maroon 5 showed him before their Final Four exit; for Enriquez, it reflects the strong bond they built together during their Bullpups days under Goldwin Monteverde.
“Nung nabasa ko yung sa Tiebreaker Times, sa totoo lang, naiyak ako dahil may tao pala na pinupush nila ako na pumasok sa Finals — which is mga kakampi ko nung high school kung saan pumapasok kami palagi sa Finals, nag-champion kami, nagback-to-back kami. Hindi ‘man kami nag-tagpo ng landas sa college, but maganda na may supporta ako sa kanilang lima,” Enriquez said.
“Ngayon, tapos na yung UAAP namin, so I pray na sana maganda yung kalabasan ng last year nila.”
#WATCH: Just like they had his back in the #UAAPSeason88 Final Four, Steve Nash Enriquez is now cheering for the Maroon 5 in the finals 🐶 🏀#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/LT5lIqz169
📹 @ErnestTuazon /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/GPOWmlBkmB
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) December 6, 2025
