PBA: TNT brings back Simon Enciso in huge boost to grand slam bid

Simon Enciso returns to TNT after five years. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--TNT's bid to complete the PBA Season 49 treble got a boost after announcing the acquisition of Simon Enciso.

The 34-year-old combo guard rejoins the newly rechristened Tropang 5G after he entered free agency at the end of the previous conference.

Enciso's contract with San Miguel ended at the end of March, and the team decided not to re-sign him, paving the way for TNT to quickly pluck him out of free agency.

Enciso last played for the Tropang 5G during the 2020 bubble season following a trade with the Alaska Aces but quickly left the team after falling short in the finals against Barangay Ginebra.

He found himself getting traded to Blackwater during the 2021 offseason, but after eight months, he ended up with SMB, where he stayed for the next four years and won his two PBA titles.

Enciso will bolster TNT's guard rotation that was depleted by Jayson Castro's season-ending injury, primarily to backstop Rey Nambatac, who has emeerged as the team's new star guard following his stellar performance in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals where he won Finals MVP honors.

The team will begin its quest for the grand slam on April 23 when it takes on NLEX at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

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