SIMON Enciso gave his father a perfect welcome as he watched his son personally play in the PBA for the very first time.
Inserted in the starting unit for the first time in the Commissioner's Cup finals, the San Miguel guard responded big time by nailing five three pointers in the Beermen's 108-98 win over Magnolia Hotshots in Game 5 on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Enciso complemented the hot shooting hands of Jericho Cruz as he went 5-of-9 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points and go with five rebounds and three assists in the victory that put San Miguel up anew in the best-of-seven title series, 3-2.
His breakout game couldn't have come at a perfect time as his father, Leander, was at ringside and flew all the way from San Francisco to watch his son play for the first time as a pro.
"My dad hasn't seen me play since I was in the PBA D-League 10 years ago. (So) to have him out here and to perform like that is a dream come true," said the Fil-Am guard, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Monday.
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Enciso said he would have wanted to bring in his mother as well, but couldn't leave the US due to pressing matters at work.
But having his dad watch him play in the finals as San Miguel eyes a 29th PBA championship would be more than enough for now.
"For my dad to come here, it's a blessing," according to Enciso.
The nine year veteran is coming off an injury that kept him out of action for most of the playoffs. But now that he's back in the pink of health, Enciso says it's just a matter of being ready if the Beermen would need help off the bench.
"Just staying ready," he said. "I've been here before. Always working in the gym, staying ready when my name is called. That's what I did. Luckily, all the hard work paid off." (RG)
