Former University of the East Red Warrior Biboy Enguio was just resting on his porch here in the Philippines when his phone rang, last Wednesday. It was Persatuan Bola Basket Seluruh Indonesia (PERBASI), the basketball federation of Indonesia.
“Actually, nagulat lang ako, tinawag nila ako two days before the 3×3 [World Cup]. So gulat na gulat ako,” recalled the 30-year-old, who was drafted as 27th overall pick in the 2017 PBA Draft. “Nasa vacation ako dito, nasa Pinas ako. Kaya ayun, nagulat lang. Walang preparation. Biglaan lang.”
But he could not resist the call of duty, immediately heading to Quezon City to join his teammates Fandi Ramadhani, Rivaldo Pangesthio, and Erick Gosal.
The ASEAN Heritage Import of the CLS Knights in the ABL admitted that it is his calling to lift Indonesian basketball as he had already experienced what it is like to play in the Philippines — the kings of Southeast Asian Basketball.
“Masaya ako kasi malaking improvement na ng Indonesia nung pagdating ng parang mga Indonesian-foreigners. Like meron kaming Mario Wuysang, meron kaming Arki Wisnu na laking America, tapos ako naman, dagdag, half-Filipino,” expressed the 183 centimeter-tall cager.
“So very rare ‘yung breed na ganoon eh para sa Indonesia so malaking tulong talaga. Kasi nase-share namin ‘yung mga kaalaman namin, ako ‘yung mga kaalaman ko dito sa Philippines, noong nag-laro ako sa UE, nashe-share ko sa kanila. Tapos ‘yung dalawa naman na Indonesian-American, nase-share din nila ‘yung experience nila sa States.”
However, their lack of preparation was evident in their first game in Pool B as they were romped by 10th-seed Estonia, 6-22, and 7th-ranked Poland, 10-22. Enguio accumulated three points in the two games.
Still, he is relishing the opportunity to just be part of the biggest tournament in 3×3 basketball.
“Magandang experience sa amin ‘yun kasi kumbaga ‘yung level ng competition dito, sobrang taas talaga eh. Kasi World Cup ito eh,” he shared.
“So ‘yung impact noon sa amin, para sa experience, malaking bagay talaga. ‘Yung kumpyansa namin, aangat.”
