Enriquez leaves NU with grateful heart

National University (NU) may have fallen short of its mission of winning the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament title, but graduating playmaker Steve Nash Enriquez will be walking away with a grateful heart.

The 22-year-old Enriquez said he didn’t ever regret choosing to stay with the Bulldogs despite ending his collegiate stint without a title following a painful 73-78 loss to De La Salle University in the Final Four of Season 88 last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Enriquez finished with only one point in 11 minutes of action, but still supplied plenty of support to stars like Jake Figueroa, Jolo Manansala and PJ Palacielo who came up with a gallant stand early on before folding up in the final stretch of the kill-or-be-killed encounter.

“Yes, the best decision I made was to stay at NU. I’m so blessed that the Lord had given me this opportunity. I have no regrets over my choice of staying at NU,” said the former University of the Visayas standout, who had several chances to leave NU for more lucrative programs.

“I’m so thankful that they accepted me with open arms. I know that despite losing, the NU community is also grieving with us. I know that NU loves me so much because I have been here for the longest time.”

“I’m so grateful to experience playing in the UAAP and, at the same time, playing for NU. I won’t trade my eight to nine years of experience here for anything else. I’m so grateful that they accepted a young dreamer like me.”

Enriquez added that it was heartbreaking seeing NU squander a twice-to-beat advantage by a loaded La Salle squad that is also overflowing with championship experience.

However, Enriquez stressed that the setback will only make him stronger as it serves as his preparation for tougher grinds ahead in the next stage of his career — either in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League or the Philippine Basketball Association.

“Although we didn’t make it, I will still pray for the success of the program. Hopefully, the Lord will give us a professional career where we will be truly happy,” said the 5-foot-9 star, who soared to prominence after a solid performance in the Elite 60 Development Camp of the National Basketball Training Center in 2018.

“Even if we don’t win here, the Lord has other plans. We still have a lot of challenges to face and one of these challenges is this heartbreak of a loss in the UAAP.”