A RISING collegiate basketball player from Mangataren town is preparing to be included in the next Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) draft to further his career.

Enoch Valdez is currently playing for the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Pirates in the NCAA league, one of the basketball powerhouses in the oldest collegiate athletic association in the country.

The 6’2” Valdez, half-Filipino, half-Ghanian, shooting guard hails from Barangay Andangin, was enrolled at the Lyceum-Northwestern University for his Grade 11 senior high school, but was transferred to San Juan de Letran to finish his remaining year in senior high. It was at this time when he was invited to play for the Pirates.

Valdez proved his capabilities as a Pirate and was considered one of the best wing players in the NCAA league today.

While he will have no choice which team will draft him, he can only hope to play some day with the elder CJ Perez of the San Miguel Beermen, his senior Pirate, and fellow kaluyagan.

Perez is from Bautista town.

Encouraged by Perez and former schoolmate Jayson David now playing for the Barangay Ginebra Kings, Valdez is doubling his efforts to hear his name in the draft this September.

Whether or not he makes it to the big league, Valdez plans to return to his community in Mangatarem, that helped him become the man he is.

Meanwhile, when asked on his team in the NBA finals, Valdez roots his all-out support to the Miami Heat, as he sees his life in Heat superstar Jimmy Butler.

“Hindi biro mga pinagdaanan niya [Butler]. Pareho po kami ng mga paghihirap na pinagdaanan kaya hindi ako susuko. Hinahangaan ko siya”, said Valdez.

The province of Pangasinan is no stranger to basketball greats.

Aside from Perez, Pangasinan is also home to PBA legends such as Marlou Aquino, Danny Ildefonso, Marc Pingris, Orlando Bauzon, Lordy Tugade, and many more. (Ahikam Pasion)

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