It’s not surprising that Steve Nash Enriquez’s younger brother is also named after an NBA player.
Twelve years younger than the former NU great, Dwyane Wade Enriquez is now following in his older brother’s footsteps as a point guard for the Bullpups in the UAAP boys’ 16-and-under basketball division.
Both brothers hail from Minglanilla, Cebu, and both have taken on the same position on the basketball court.
But while Steve Nash already made his mark in the Bullpups program as a multiple-time champion and, later on, a pillar of the Bulldogs, Dwyane Wade is only beginning to carve out his own story.
And Steve Nash hopes that story will eventually include another championship for the Bullpups.
NUNS, the defending champions of the UAAP boys’ 16-and-under basketball division, has given Dwyane Wade an opportunity to follow the path his older brother once took. And the younger Enriquez has already made an impression in his first games.
In his Bullpups debut on August 15, Dwyane Wade posted eight points, six assists, and four rebounds in NUNS’ 100-75 rout of UST.
A week later, he came through with 14 points — including the key baskets — along with five rebounds, three steals, and two assists as NUNS held off UE, 83-79.
For Steve Nash, seeing his younger brother play for the same program where he once starred is a dream that has finally become a reality.
“Sobrang-sobrang happy po kasi ever since nung bata pa si Wade at ako nasa NU High School, pag tinitingnan ko siyang humahawak ng bola, iniisip ko talaga agad na balang araw, yung kapatid ko naman yung maglalaro sa lugar ko. Which is, sa awa ng Panginoong Diyos, nangyari po talaga,” said Steve Nash.
Having experienced the demands of playing for NUNS himself, Steve Nash has made sure to remind his younger brother of the values he needs to carry with him as he begins his own UAAP journey.
“Sinasabihan ko lang siya na maging teachable siya lagi. Tapos siyempre, yung sipag, tiyaga, mapagkumbaba, at yung kailangan maayos yung pakikitungo niya sa mga coaches at teammates niya,” the current Pasay Voyager said.
Steve Nash also hopes Dwyane Wade can go even further than he did during his own high school career.
“Halos araw-araw kong kinakausap si Wade at siyempre, bilang kuya niya, ipinagdarasal ko talaga palagi na mas malayo at mas higit pa yung mararating ng kapatid ko,” expressed Steve Nash.
“Siyempre, sana maging champion siya ulit sa NUNS at makagawa din siya ng sarili niyang kuwento sa UAAP.”
For the older Enriquez, however, Dwyane Wade’s development should not be measured solely by what he accomplishes on the basketball court.
Steve Nash wants his brother to remain humble, coachable, and committed to finishing his studies while navigating the challenges that come with playing at the UAAP level.
“Kahit anong sabihin sa kanya ng coaches niya, mapagalitan, murahin man, or masigawan man, mapagkumbaba lang at lagi niya lang tatandaan kung ano yung mensahe nila na gustong iparating sa kanya,” he hopes.
“Tsaka yung pag-aaral, dapat tapusin niya. Focus lang, stay hungry, and stay humble lang outside basketball. Tsaka, in faith, bilib ako sa pananampalataya ng bata. Kahit anong pagsubok na hinaharap niya, sinusurrender niya lang lahat kay Lord. Kaya patuloy lang kasi Diyos lang talaga ang may alam sa lahat. God is good all the time naman po.”
Steve Nash has already experienced what it means to win championships with the Bullpups.
Now, as he embarks on the pro level and watches his younger brother begin his own UAAP journey, he hopes Dwyane Wade can build on that legacy while creating one of his own.
