BIRTHDAY boy Encho Serrano played like a man possessed to tow the Abra Solid North Weaver to a hard-earned 84-77 win over the Go for Gold San Juan Knights in the MPBL Seventh Season at the Caloocan City Coliseum.
With the Knights on the driver’s seat most of the time since their 22-4 run in the second quarter, Serrano took the lead role for Abra as main man Dave Ildefonso was ganged up with a triple team defense all game long.
'Si Dave sampayan na nila'
The Knights ended the first half with a 36-31 lead and managed to limit the Weavers to a low scoring ballgame highlighted by the ejection of another gunner, Mike Ayonayon, on two technical fouls.
“Masyadong matindi depensa sa 'min. Grabe ang pisikalan. Tapos nawala pa si Mike then si Dave halos sampayan na nila, then yung ibang scorers namin hindi rin makagalaw. Kaya sabi ko kailangang may mag-step up,” said Serrano.
“Sabi ko sarili ko hindi ako papayag na ma-spoil ang birthday ko,” said the 26-year old former Dela Salle Green Archers sniper.
Battling a cold and coming off a bout with the flu, Serrano scored four straight baskets to help Abra wipe out a 74-70 lead by San Juan with less than 3 minutes to go.
“Sabi ko kay Encho, mainit ka, lahat ng tira mo pumapasok. Birthday mo, kinapitan ka ng swerte, pag may open look ka tira lang nang tira,” said Abra coach Yong Garcia.
“And good thing he delivered. He really wanted this win. He really wanted to show na teams cannot just focus on Dave sa defense. We have other players ready to step up,” said the former San Juan Knights assistant coach.
Serrano finished the game with 28 points, 3 assists and 1 steal to the delight of the Caloocan fans who mobbed him heading into the dugout.
Newly acquired big man Raul Soyud nearly played the hero’s role for San Juan as he logged 13 points and 7 rebounds and more importantly oitplayed Abra scorers including big man Geo Chiu in the paint.
The 23rd straight win brought Abra to 25-1 win-loss, solidifying its hold of the league lead as San Juan took its third loss in 28 outings and slipped down to fourth overall behind the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards (24-2) and Quezon Huskers (23-4).
Team owners Reps. JB Bernos and Ching Bernos later video called the team to extend their warm message to Serrano and the rest of the Weavers.
“Hindi kami sanay ng ganyan kadikit ang laro natin. But we are happy because no matter what, nagpapakita ng character ang team natin, something that I believe will be crucial as we aim for our grand prize,” said Bernos in a Messenger call to his players.
“Let’s continue to shake off our weaknesses and let’s not get tired of getting the Ws, sobrang proud ang Abra at Northern Philippines sa inyo,” he added.
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