 |
| Abra star Encho Serrano clarified that he just watched Converge's game against TNT as a spectator and no player transfer is set. Screenshot from YouTube |
BIÑAN—Three-time MPBL champion Encho Serrano admitted to Dugout Philippines that he still wishes to make a PBA return after he was seen behind Converge's bench during its Wednesday night game against TNT at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
According to the 26-year-old combo guard, he still longs for the day he sees himself back in Asia's premier professional cagefest three years after he last played there, especially suiting up for the FiberXers, where his longtime mentor, Pampanga vice governor Delta Pineda, is the head coach.
"Sana magka-opportunity na makuha ako nila, and gusto ko rin naman maglaro kasama sila," Serrano said.
However, he clarified that his surprise appearance in the said game was just as a mere spectator and does not mean Converge is indeed working to get him there from Abra.
"Support lang ako kasi alam naman natin na siyempre yung coach doon, tatay-tatayan ko na yun. Tapos yung mga dating teammate ko, at si Balti na parang kapatid ko na. Siyempre, nami-miss ko lang sila kaya nag-support lang ako sa game nila," the pride of Apalit, whose PBA rights are with Phoenix, further said.
Unfortunately, Serrano cannot make it to the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay to cheer for his friends again on Saturday night as he had work too.
On the same night the FiberXers played the NLEX Road Warriors, the Weavers visited the Alonte Sports Arena here to take on the Biñan Tatak Gel in a highly-anticipated showdown that many MPBL fans felt could be a potential preview of the national finals.
Defense became the key as Abra held Biñan to its lowest output so far this season, even as the former, through a 63-53 victory, stretched its winning streak to 16 while ending the latter's own hot run at 13 straight wins.
For Serrano, who had a quiet outing with four points, three rebounds, and two assists but was still fine with DJ Fenner (14 points), Jake Figueroa (13), and Dave Ildefonso (12) stepping up, the Weavers made the most out of its first opportunity to pull away from the top seed race, especially with the San Juan Knights falling prey at home to the Quezon Huskers on Thursday night.
"Siguro thankful lang kami kasi nagka-chance kami natalo yung San Juan, so hindi na namin hinayaan na masayang yung opportunity na mag-number one kami homecourt advantage. Talagang trinabaho lang namin," Serrano said, adding that Abra did not mind whether coach Boyet Fernandez will show up or not for Biñan or not and just stuck to its gameplan.
Unlike San Juan head coach and concurrent San Beda assistant coach Alex Angeles, who joined the Red Lions' training camp in Malaga, Fernandez, who is also part of the reigning NCAA champions' coaching staff led by Yuri Escueta, stayed here and coached the Tatak Gel against the Weavers.
The home team had a few chances to take the lead, but it could not convert the plays that mattered, and the road side eventually pulled away.
With Fenner, Ildefonso, and his older brother Shaun suiting up for Strong Group Athletics in the Jones Cup, Serrano is expected to step up for the Weavers against the Bataan Risers on Tuesday at the Caloocan Sports Complex and the Bulacan Kuyas on Aug. 12 at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
Abra may be in full force again on Aug. 27, two nights before the MPBL All-Star Game, when it battles Quezon City back at the Caloocan Sports Complex.
The other games at the Alonte Sports Arena saw Ilagan nipping Negros 101-89 and Meycauayan Marilao beating Parañaque 91-80.
.jpg)
