Alaska is having the best start of any team in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup with three straight wins in as many games and its thanks to no small part to Simon Enciso’s torrid shooting.
For the past two games, the 5-foot-11 guard averaged 24 points and 7.5 three-pointers a game and it was a previous setback that inspired him to put on the shooting performance he’s been on.
“I’ve just been in the gym lately and last conference I had a good taste of the semifinals and how close we could’ve gone to the finals,” said Enciso after their 108-97 win over Phoenix Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“It just inspired me and added more fire to my motivation and to get back to the gym and really work on my craft and all the hard work is just paying off right now.”
The Aces finished with the second-best record in the Commissioner’s Cup, 8-3, but got eliminated in the semifinals after losing to San Miguel 3-1 in the five-game series.
And it was this loss that lit a fire under Enciso.
He had a career game in Alaska’s 125-96 win over TNT as he put up nine three-pointers for 30 points and he followed it up with an 18-point night against the Fuel Masters whom he torched with six triples.
“I’m really comfortable right now, with the help of coach Alex [Compton], the coaching staff, the management, my teammates, and especially the veterans, they’ve helped me a lot,” said Enciso who singled out Vic Manuel, Sonny Thoss, JVee Casio, and Chris Banchero.
“It’s just a matter of time until I get comfortable and with the help of the team I know I can.”