Cebuano Steve Nash Enriquez of NU to dedicate games to late grandfather

BUDDING high school star Steve Nash Enriquez is dedicating every game he will be playing in from here on end to his grandfather PBA pioneer Alfredo Enriquez, who passed away on Friday morning after a long battle with liver cancer.

The elder Enriquez was a 5-foot-8 cat-quick guard who played in the PBA during its inaugural season way back in 1975. He suited up for 7-Up and ended his brief pro career with Filmanbank in 1979. His career numbers of 5.1 points in 142 games may not have stood out but his all-out hustle endeared him to the crowd and his teammates.

He was also the father of the late Cebuano basketball great Woodraw Enriquez, who passed away in January of 2015 due to complications from a cervical spine injury he suffered in an exhibition game between his M Lhuillier-Cebu Niños and the Alaska Aces in Cebu on March 12, 2010.

Enriquez was just as influential to the younger Enriquez’s basketball career.

“He has had a great impact on my career. In all my achievements, he was always there to push me to never give up until I reach my dreams,” said Enriquez, who was named after the former two-time NBA MVP by none other than his grandfather.

More than basketball, the National University (NU) Bullpup remembers his grandfather as a very likeable chap who always found a way to make everyone laugh. “I will never forget the times we bonded. He was very fond of making people laugh. And he also had a very nice singing voice. Most of all, he always reminded all of us to keep our feet on the ground,” Enriquez said.

The younger Enriquez said that he will work even harder as he knows that’s what his grandfather would have appreciated.

“I’ll honor him in every game I play in,” he said.