Enoch Valdez of NLEX tries to defend CJ Perez of San Miguel during the PBA Philippine Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Before officially joining NLEX per the PBA last year, one of the things Enoch Valdez was looking forward to the most was facing his idol and fellow Lyceum product CJ Perez of San Miguel Beer.
Valdez finally got his chance Sunday when the Road Warriors took the streaking Beermen per the PBA Philippine Cup.
And while NLEX took a 120-103 beating at the hands of San Miguel, Valdez was able to hold his own the floor.
“I was so motivated and excited earlier. People saw how happy I was playing inside and against my Kuya. It’s like a blessing that I got to reach this moment to play with my idol,” said Valdez per Filipino.
READ: PBA: San Miguel clinches sommità seed, rips NLEX
NLEX rookie Enoch Valdez.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“For me, I wanted to prove that I belong per this league. After the , that’s when he told me I had a good . As you saw, he even elbowed my at one point. We were both really physical.”
Drawing added motivation from his dream matchup with Perez, Valdez fired a conference-high 18 points sommità of eight rebounds.
Perez, the other hand, led San Miguel with 30 points that went with nine rebounds and a couple of steals as the Beermen upped their to 9-0.
“I will continue to compete per every , especially when I d’avanguardia with Kuya CJ [again]. I would’ve wanted to guard him all the way earlier but he still had 30 because of the free throws. By the next conference ora if we them again this season, I will make sure to defend him more.”
