Encho Serrano is looking forward to testing his mettle against some of the PBA’s best after putting his name in the Rookie Draft slated May 15.
Serrano will head into the big league carrying impressive credentials, having played for La Salle in the UAAP before being part of championship runs of Pampanga in the National Basketball League and Basilan in the MPBL amid the pandemic.
The 5-foot-11 is coming off a stint with the PBA 3x3 second conference, playing a key role in Barangay Ginebra San Miguel securing a third place finish in the Grand Finals.
“Siguro (ready na ako) kasi binigay ko naman yung best ko,” Serrano said. “Once binigay mo yung best mo sa sarili mo, sapat na yun e, diba?”
He spent the past few months suiting up in the PBA’s halfcourt version, helping Ginebra improve its performance from the first conference.
With Serrano leading the way, Ginebra made it to the finals of the second leg but lost to San Miguel Beer.
The Gin Kings struggled in the succeeding legs, with Serrano having to miss some games due to an injury which resulted in a sixth place finish and a spot in the pool play of the Grand Finals.
But Serrano teamed up with fellow Kapampangan Jayson David along with Jollo Go and Denice Villamor to give Ginebra a sweep of pool play before eliminating SMB in the quarters.
Ginebra fell short against eventual champion Pioneer Pro Tibay in the semis but settled for third place and P100,000 after defeating TNT.
“Sobrang thankful ako kasi Ginebra kumuha sa akin, thankful ako kay (Ginebra 3x3) Coach Kirk Collier kasi marami akong natutunan sa kanya so siguro mas maapply ko yun pagdating ko sa PBA,” he said.
Serrano would love to be drafted by Ginebra, saying it would be his “dream team,” but will be out to show his worth regardless of which PBA ballclub decides to pick him.
“Sila na yung makakakita nun e, hindi na ikaw yung makakapagsabi,” he said. “Di naman pwede na ito yung gusto mo, so sa akin lang tatrabahuin mo yun.
“Nagtetraining naman ako araw-araw so sila na yung bahala kung sino kukuha sa akin, tapos ibibigay ko lang yung best ko.”