Coming in just two months prior to the start of the season, we understand that it would take some time for rookie guard Encho Serrano to find his way within the team. After all, he was out of the basketball limelight for more than year.
Considered a top recruit, expectations were high on him entering this season. He was considered as a “game changer” as he addresses the Green Archers’ need of a slasher.
Serrano’s first two games however in the UAAP seniors were not as impressive as we’ve initially hoped. He only managed to score a combined 4 points in 10 minutes of court action. On both those contests, there were signs of tentativeness and nervousness on his part.
But after a little talk with his coach, Encho appears to have finally settled in as he came up big in last Sunday’s win over UE, finishing with 11 points and 4 rebounds.
Only 5'11. The kid can jump
RT @abscbnsports: pic.twitter.com/ykiWn2Olfe
— GoArchers (@GoArchers) September 23, 2018
“Actually hindi pa talaga ako ganun ka-comportable, before the game sinabihan ako ni coach na, ‘Hindi ako susuko sa iyo. Dahan-dahan natin yan’,’” shared Serrano.
“Sabi niya, ‘Basta kuha ka lang ng kumpyansa tiyaka pagpasok mo gusto mo umopensa kaagad, ‘wag mong ilagay yun sa isip mo, unahin mo muna yung depensa hanggang sumunod sa opensa mo’.
“So ngayon pagpasok ko pinakita ko talaga kay coach na hindi ko sasayangin ang opportunity na binigay niya sa akin, dedepensa talaga ako ng one-hundred percent, lumabas naman at sumunod pa ang opensa,”
Though he was happy with his performance, he feels that he still has a long way to go to reach the level where he want to be. He mentioned that he still needs to gain more confidence and work on areas of his game that needs improvement particularly free-throw shooting.
The kid is a fighter. He has gone through a lot to reach this point. With Kib Montalbo injured, all the more is expected from Encho to fill in his absence. The pressure to deliver will always be there but we can expect him to embrace the challenge.