Encho Serrano
{{Short description|Filipino basketball player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Encho Serrano
| image =
| caption =
| position = Shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb =
| league = MPBL
| team = Abra Solid North Weavers
| number = 2
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|9|18}}
| birth_place =
| nationality = Filipino
| high_school = St. Vincent's (Apalit, Pampanga)
Malayan (Manila)
Adamson (Manila)
LSGH (Mandaluyong)
| college = De La Salle
| draft_year_pba = 2022
| draft_round_pba = 2
| draft_pick_pba = 19
| draft_team_pba = Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
| career_start =
| years1 = 2020–2021
| team1 = Pampanga Delta
| years2 = 2021
| team2 = Basilan Jumbo Plastic
| years3 = 2022–2023
| team3 = Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
| years4 = 2023–2024
| team4 = Pampanga Giant Lanterns
| years5 = 2025–present
| team5 = Abra Solid North Weavers
| highlights =
- PBA All-Rookie Team (2023)
- 2× MPBL champion (2023, 2024)
- MPBL All-Star (2023)
- 2× NBL–Pilipinas champion (2019–20 President's, 2021 Chairman's)
- NBL–Pilipinas Finals MVP (2021 Chairman's)
- Pilipinas Super League D2 Super Cup champion
| medaltemplates =
}}
Florencio "Encho" Serrano (born September 18, 1999) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Abra Solid North Weavers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).
Serrano played for the Adamson Baby Falcons in high school, but was declared ineligible to play in 2017. Later that year, he transferred to the La Salle Green Hills Greenies before moving up to play for the De La Salle Green Archers in college in 2018, he would depart De La Salle in 2021.
In 2020, Serrano entered NBL–Pilipinas, playing for his hometown Pampanga Delta. In 2021, he played for the Basilan Jumbo Plastic in that year's MPBL Invitational. The following year, he moved to the PBA 3x3 playing for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel. He would go on to be selected by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters with the 19th pick of the PBA season 47 draft. Despite making the PBA All-Rookie Team with Phoenix, he would return to the MPBL in 2023, playing for the Pampanga Giant Lanterns. In 2025, he stepped out of his hometown team once again, playing for the Abra Weavers.
Serrano has won four championships in total, two in both the MPBL and NBL–Pilipinas. He was also selected as an MPBL all-star in 2023. He also represented the Philippines at the FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup in 2017.
High school career and ineligibility issue
In UAAP Season 79, Serrano played for Adamson University's Baby Falcons. He was part of the roster that went 11–1 in the elimination round of the junior's basketball tournament. However, the team's season was put in jeopardy after Serrano was found to be ineligible to play for the team. UAAP eligibility committee chairman Rod Roque said in a statement that Serrano "failed to submit the required secondary student's permanent record", which essentially serves as proof of his high school records and credentials. The UAAP board ended up forfeiting the first twelve games the Baby Falcons took part in with Serrano, effectively putting them out of Final Four contention and ruling out Serrano for the MVP award.{{Cite web |date=2017-02-01 |title=Baby Falcons to forfeit all UAAP wins after player declared ineligible |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/02/01/1668006/baby-falcons-forfeit-all-uaap-wins-after-player-declared-ineligible |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Philstar.com}}
According to Serrano, he first studied at St. Vincent's Academy in Apalit entering Grade 7, where he played for two seasons. He failed in his first year at St. Vincent's and dropped the following year. When he tried to acquire his transcripts from St. Vincent's, he was told by his father that it was misplaced. Thus when Serrano enrolled at Mapúa's Malayan High School of Science, he instead submitted his transcripts from Jose Escaler Elementary School, where he graduated grade 6. He also submitted those transcripts when he transferred from Adamson.{{Cite web |last=Henson |first=Joaquin M. |date=2017-02-04 |title=Serrano swears no intent to cheat |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/02/04/1668955/serrano-swears-no-intent-cheat |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Philstar.com}}{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2017-02-01 |title=Wondering why Adamson's Encho Serrano was declared ineligible? Source bares details |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-juniors/uaap-board-decision-encho-serrano-adamson-baby-falcons-side |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
Serrano eventually finished his high school career with the La Salle Green Hills (LSGH) Greenies of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for Season 93. De La Salle University wanted to acquire Serrano for UAAP Season 81, and thus had him play at LSGH instead of De La Salle Zobel's (DLSZ) Junior Archers in part to circumvent the UAAP's residency rules.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2017-05-01 |title=La Salle moving to convince Encho Serrano to play for LSGH before joining Archers, says source |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/uaap-juniors/encho-serrano-eyed-dlsu-uaap-to-ncaa-adamson-baby-falcons-sources |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2017-05-02 |title=Former Adamson star Encho Serrano part of La Salle Greenhills lineup for PCABL |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/encho-serrano-included-in-la-salle-greenhills-lineup-pcabl?ref=article_tag |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
College career
Serrano made his debut for the De La Salle Green Archers in 2018 with UAAP Season 81. He also played in the PBA D-League during the 2020 Aspirants' Cup that was cut short due to the pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-02 |title=PBA D-League: Balanced attack pushes La Salle past Letran |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/02/20/pba-d-league-balanced-attack-pushes-la-salle-past-letran |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=ABS-CBN News}} He departed La Salle after UAAP Season 83 in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Matel |first=Philip |date=2021-07-20 |title=Serrano leaves DLSU; Archers eye 6'9" Nigerian |url=https://www.espn.com/basketball/colleges/story/_/id/31846908/serrano-exits-6-9-nigerian-nwankwo-enters-la-salle |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
Professional career
= Pampanga Delta (2020–2021) =
In 2020, Serrano began playing in the National Basketball League, joining the roster of the Pampanga Delta for the 2019–20 President's Cup of the homegrown league.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-06 |title=Encho Serrano lifts Pampanga to home rout of Marikina in NBL play |url=https://www.dugout.ph/2020/01/encho-serrano-lifts-pampanga-to-home.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Dugout Philippines}} At the time, NBL–Pilipinas was still considered an amateur league and Serrano was still with La Salle. When the league turned pro in August that year, Serrano didn't apply for a Special Guest License from the Games and Amusements Board. Thus, he didn't play in the Finals series against the La Union PAOwer, which the Delta ended up winning.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2020-10-22 |title=College players Encho Serrano, Justine Baltazar out of Pampanga squad in NBL finals |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/encho-serrano-justine-baltazar-not-playing-for-pampanga-in-nbl-finals-a795-20201022 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
Serrano did end up returning to the team the following season, marking his professional debut.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2021-07-29 |title=Ronald Pascual set for basketball comeback, will play for Pampanga in NBL |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/ronald-pascual-set-for-basketball-return-with-pampanga-in-nbl-a795-20210729 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} The Delta won back-to-back titles after a Finals rematch against La Union, with Serrano winning Finals MVP.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2021-12-06 |title=Encho Serrano eyes PBA Draft after leading Delta to NBL title |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/encho-serrano-plans-to-apply-for-next-year-s-pba-draft-a795-20211206 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
= Basilan Jumbo Plastic (2021) =
Staying in the grassroots, Serrano joined the Basilan Jumbo Plastic for the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League's 2021 Invitational tournament.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2021-12-21 |title=Encho Serrano embraces pressure in leading Basilan to MPBL crown |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/encho-serrano-embraces-pressure-in-leading-basilan-to-mpbl-crown/228406 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} He helped the team on their way to clinching the Invitational crown.{{Cite web |last=Micaller |first=Bea |title=Philip Manalang nails game winner as Basilan wins MPBL Invitational title vs Nueva Ecija |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/815813/philip-manalang-nails-game-winner-as-basilan-wins-mpbl-invitational-title-vs-nueva-ecija/story/ |access-date=2023-03-30 |website=GMA News Online |date=December 24, 2021 |language=en}}
= Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (2022–2023) =
On April 26, 2022, Encho Serrano declared for the PBA season 47 draft later that year.{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=2022-04-26 |title=Encho Serrano, Jollo Go throw names in the hat for PBA Draft |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/encho-serrano-jollo-go-throw-names-in-the-hat-for-pba-draft-a2437-20220426 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Serrano was declared the MVP of the draft combine and would go on to be selected by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters with the 19th overall pick.{{Cite web |last=Leongson |first=Randolph B. |date=2022-05-12 |title=Encho Serrano named PBA Combine MVP; Orlan Wamar tops 3-point contest |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/draft-combine-encho-serrano-tournament-mvp-orlan-wamar-tops-3-point-contest-a2438-20220512 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} On May 25, 2022, he formally signed a one-year deal with Phoenix.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=2022-05-25 |title=Encho Serrano signs one-year deal with Phoenix Fuel Masters |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/encho-serrano-signs-with-a-one-year-deal-by-phoenix-a793-20220525 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Serrano averaged 10.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, and was selected to the PBA All-Rookie Team.{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Tim Cone wins his fourth PBA Coach of the Year award |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/tim-cone-wins-his-fourth-pba-coach-of-the-year-award-a1373-20231119 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
= Siomai King (2023) =
For a brief period, Serrano played for the Siomai King team competing in the Pilipinas Super League's D2 Super Cup, winning the championship in the tournament.
= Pampanga Giant Lanterns (2023–2024) =
Following the 2022–23 PBA season, Serrano was offered a two-year deal with Phoenix, but declined the deal in favor of playing for another hometown team: the Pampanga Giant Lanterns of the MPBL.{{cite news |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |title=Serrano declines Phoenix's two-year offer, chooses to play in MPBL |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pba/encho-serrano-declines-two-year-offer-from-phoenix-a793-20230523 |accessdate=September 22, 2023 |work=Spin.ph}}{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Matthew |date=2023-05-23 |title=Encho Serrano leaves PBA's Phoenix, set to sign with MPBL's Pampanga |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/encho-serrano-leaves-pbas-phoenix-set-to-sign-with-mpbls-pampanga/272953 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}} He was initially listed as part of the team's roster ahead of the 2023 MPBL season on April 10, but didn't make his debut until June 15.{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2023-04-10 |title=Pampanga lists Pingris, Arwind, Cabagnot, Serrano in MPBL lineup |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/pingris-arwind-cabagnot-serrano-in-pampanga-s-mpbl-roster-a795-20230410 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Terrado |first=Reuben |date=2023-06-15 |title=Encho Serrano makes winning debut for unbeaten Pampanga |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/encho-serrano-pampanga-giant-lanterns-beat-pasig-in-mpbl-a795-20230615 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Serrano averaged 15.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game, on his way to being selected as an all-star for the 2023 MPBL All-Star Game and winning a championship with the team.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-16 |title=Justine Baltazar heads revenge-seeking North vs South in MPBL All-Star |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/justine-baltazar-heads-revenge-seeking-north-vs-south-in-mpbl-all-star/281543 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-12-04 |title=MPBL: Pampanga sweeps Bacoor to win national championship |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/basketball/890311/mpbl-pampanga-sweeps-bacoor-to-win-national-championship/story/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=GMA News Online |language=en}}
In his second season, Serrano continued to play a key role, averaging 12.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. In game 1 of the 2024 MPBL finals against the Quezon Huskers, Serrano hit rookie L-Jay Gonzales to his jaw in the second quarter, leading him to be suspended for game 2.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-02 |title=Baltazar unstoppable in Pampanga's Game One win over Quezon in Dubai |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/pampanga-giant-lanterns-beat-quezon-huskers-in-game-one-in-dubai-a1373-20241202 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2024-12-03 |title=Pampanga goes for 2-0 lead as Serrano serves one-game suspension |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/pampanga-guard-encho-serrano-meted-one-game-mpbl-suspension-a1373-20241203 |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}} Despite that, it didn't slow down PGL's chances at clinching back-to-back titles, giving Serrano his fourth championship overall.{{cite news |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Pampanga sweeps Quezon to claim back-to-back MPBL championships |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/-a1373-20241207 |access-date=December 7, 2024 |work=spin.ph}}
= Abra Weavers (2025–present) =
On January 2025, Serrano once again left his hometown team, this time signing with the Abra Weavers.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Gerry |date=2025-01-24 |title=Encho Serrano nixes PBA return to sign with Abra Weavers |url=https://www.spin.ph/basketball/mpbl/encho-serrano-nixes-pba-return-to-sign-with-abra-weavers-a793-20250124?utm_source=Facebook-Spin&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20250124-fbnp-basketball-encho-serrano-nixes-pba-return-to-sign-with-abra-weavers-a793-20250124-fbfirst&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3POz1SXtzn-Zwm2WVKXV9usEbiyQdcTwKnhC0YaZ2AFqNdwN00Te-HRKs_aem_ZAsyByo2rKdf6zDkQ_EPzA |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=Spin.ph |language=en}}
3x3 career
In 2017, Serrano represented the Philippines at the 2017 FIBA 3x3 U18 World Cup.{{Cite web |date=2017-06-28 |title=Serrano banners RP 3x3 U18 squad |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2017/06/28/1714416/serrano-banners-rp-3x3-u18-squad |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Philstar.com}} On January 19, 2022, he signed with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel's 3x3 team in the PBA 3x3 league.{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Matthew |date=2022-01-19 |title=Encho Serrano signs with Ginebra 3x3 |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/encho-serrano-signs-with-ginebra-3x3/229862 |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Tiebreaker Times |language=en-US}}
Career statistics
= PBA =
{{PBA player statistics legend}}
== Season-by-season averages ==
{{PBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align=left | {{pbay|2022}}
| align=left | Phoenix Super LPG
| 34 || 17.7 || .474 || .356 || .657 || 3.7 || 1.9 || .6 || .1 || 10.3
{{end}}
= MPBL =
{{MPBL player statistics legend}}
== Season-by-season averages ==
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://basketball.realgm.com/player/Encho-Serrano/Summary/199684 Encho Serrano Player Profile - RealGM]
- [https://mpbl.web.geniussports.com/competitions/?WHurl=%2Fcompetition%2Fall%2Fperson%2F1269574 Encho Serrano - Genius Sports (MPBL)]
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{{2022 PBA draft}}
{{Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2023 MPBL champions}}
{{Pampanga Giant Lanterns 2024 MPBL champions}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Serrano, Encho}}
Category:21st-century Filipino sportsmen
Category:Abra Solid North Weavers players
Category:Basilan Viva Portmasters players
Category:De La Salle Green Archers basketball players
Category:Filipino men's basketball players
Category:Pampanga Giant Lanterns players
Category:Phoenix Fuel Masters draft picks