MANILA, Philippines -- The extra effort being put in by NLEX Road Warriors rookie Enoch Valdez is paying off.
With the quarterfinal fate of NLEX hanging in the balance, Valdez turned up with the best game of his young career so far in a 107-103 win over the Converge FiberXers in their PBA Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday.
The former Lyceum Pirate exploded for 19 points and nine rebounds for the Road Warriors. He made four of his six 3-pointers and shot seven of 12 from the field.
More importantly, his big performance kept NLEX alive in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup with a 4-6 slate, similar with the TNT Tropang Giga.
Head coach Frankie Lim said the extra effort of Valdez, the youngest active player in the PBA, in practice is already showing off in his stellar play in the pros.
"Enoch made big shots in the fourth quarter... [Enoch is a] great player. You know, he's very aggressive and he's also very hardworking in practice. He comes in early, takes some shots, gets out of the gym late and he is working extra. And it's paying off," Lim told reporters after the game.
"Even before the draft, when I saw him practice with our team, I was already telling my coaches, I’m going to pick this guy. If he lands [with our pick,] I’m going to get him for sure. And I like the way he plays – very aggressive, has great defense, he can shoot threes, and he can finish," he added.
The big performance was also key for NLEX, which was missing a number of players due to injuries.
He played 35 minutes in the Converge game, making timely plays.
Valdez, for his part, said that he was merely doing what the coaches were asking him to do.
"I am just putting more effort especially in defense, because that is really my calling card, defense. Offense and shooting, that will come through repetition," the guard said.
NLEX will be playing Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in its final elimination game on Saturday.
It is a must-win game that could spell the fate of the retooled Road Warriors this season.
"The good thing is we boosted our confidence with this win. And, of course, our team is already blending. We are getting there day by day, we just need to work and communicate always," the guard said.
"I will do what I do in training, same thing. I will just give extra effort. Before they drafted me, they told me what my role is. And I will show that every day."