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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Rookie Enoch Valdez earns praise from NLEX coach Frankie Lim

Rookie Enoch Valdez earns praise from NLEX coach Frankie Lim

Published Jan 12, 2024 05:47 am

At A Glance

  • NLEX rookie Enoch Valdez is starting to prove that he belongs to the big league and finally bare the potential that was seen from him by Road Warriors head coach Frankie Lim.
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NLEX rookie Enoch Valdez is starting to prove that he belongs to the big league and finally bare the potential that was seen from him by Road Warriors head coach Frankie Lim.

PBA Images14 (3).JPG
Enoch Valdez is proving his worth at NLEX (PBA Images)

Asked to step up with NLEX’s back against the wall, the newcomer out of Lyceum showed up and delivered 19 points – highlighted by the timely triples that allowed his team to create the much-needed separation against an eliminated but dangerous Converge.

The youngest active player so far in the conference also added nine rebounds as the Road Warriors kept themselves in the running for a playoff spot with a 107-103 win over the FiberXers in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Lim, of course, was the least surprised in the performance of Valdez, who joined NLEX late due to his NCAA stint with the Pirates. The wait, though, is proving to be worth it with the upsides he has been providing for NLEX.

“He's very aggressive and he’s also masipag in practice. He comes in early, takes some shots, gets out of the gym late, nag-e-extra siya and it’s paying off. Matapang eh,” Lim said of the 6-foot-2 wingman.

The veteran coach was already impressed by the hard work of Valdez even before the draft that Lim was dead set on picking him when he’s available, which, eventually happened when the young forward landed on the laps of the Road Warriors in the second round, 18th overall.

“Even before the draft, when I saw him practice with our team, I was already telling my coaches, I’m going to pick this guy. Pag ito nag-landing sa atin, I’m going to get him for sure,” shared Lim.

“And I like the way he plays –  very aggressive, ang galing dumepensa, he can shoot threes, pag takbuhan, sa layups maaasahan,” he added.

Valdez, for his part, said that he was just doing what the coaches asked him to do. 

“Ginawa ko lang yung pinapagawa ng coaches and yun. Kapag open tira, and iyon naman po iyong ginagawa ko sa training. They allowed me naman to take the three points, rebounds and defense,” said Valdez.

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