Mendoza revives aspirations for TNT's Grand Slam triumph
In the world of PBA basketball, every loss is hard to swallow, but doubly so when it's your former squad dealing the blow. That was the case on May 4 when Simon Enciso, now with TNT, delivered the dagger that sank San Miguel Beer, his former team.
TNT's 89-84 victory saw Enciso, a cunning guard, exacting a bit of revenge. Once a discarded asset by SMB, he found his worth at TNT. With the game hanging in the balance, Enciso nailed a corner three to put TNT up 86-82, thwarting SMB's comeback attempt.
TNT held on, securing the win with a late three from RR Pogoy, ending SMB's rally. Pogoy, who had been struggling, finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Enciso, with the metaphorical axe to grind, chalked up 13 points and four assists.
The victory breathed new life into TNT's campaign, lifting them to a 1-3 win-loss record and halting a three-game skid. While it's not a glamorous record, it rekindled hopes of a Grand Slam in the PBA Philippine Cup. TNT topped the Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup last season, marking their dominance in the league.
Although Oftana's monstrous game of 23 points and 21 rebounds almost stole the limelight, Enciso's heroics were pivotal. His performance echoed the impact of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT's imports responsible for back-to-back title triumphs.
Coach Reyes, elated after the win, acknowledged the relief of securing their first victory. After all, a win is always sweet, especially when it's spiced with a touch of revenge.
[1]: While Enciso recently posted a career-best 30 points for the Alaska Aces, this was in a different context and not related to the game against San Miguel Beer.[2]: Enciso participated in pro-level workouts and shared insights with younger players in April 2025.[3]: During his earlier TNT stint in 2020, Enciso averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. However, specific game outcomes are not detailed in the available sources.
[1] Despite Enciso setting a career-high of 30 points for the Alaska Aces in a different context, his performance against San Miguel Beer was significantly noteworthy.
[2] In April 2025, Enciso took part in pro-level workouts and offered guidance to younger players beyond his games.
[3] During his initial tenure with TNT in 2020, Enciso averaged 9.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, although details about specific game results were not provided.
[4] Enciso's impressive performance against San Miguel Beer can be compared to the impact of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT's imports who led them to consecutive title wins.
