Former Cebu Niños PG Enriquez dies at 37

CEBU, Philippines - Former M.Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Niños point guard Woodrow Enriquez died yesterday morning. He was 37.

His family represented by his wife, Catherine Macasero Enriquez announced his death that was caused by kidney complications and bed sores.

Woodrow and Catherine have two sons; one is ZJ, a varsity player of the University of San Carlos.

One of the best Cebuano point-guards of all time, Enriquez spent his career in the commercial circuit with M.Lhuillier.

He became the team captain of Cebu Niños for a decade of their long history of dominating basketball in Visayas and Mindanao under legendary Coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba.

He suffered a career ending injury during an exhibition game against Alaska Aces at the University of San Carlos gym four years ago.

Enriquez was rushed to Chong Hua Hospital after that incident where it was revealed that he suffered a broken spine which paralyzed his body.

What he lacked in height made up with his crafty playmaking skills and sweet shooting. A fearless penetrator, Enriquez always stood tall in the land of the giants despite his being small in stature because of his hard-court versatility.

Enriquez became the Most Valuable Player in his stints in the United Regional Basketball League in 2004 and Liga Pilipinas Conference III in 2009.

Woodraw is the son of PBA pioneer Alfredo Enriquez, who played for Seven-Up and Filmanbank from 1975 to 1979.

Before his career in the commercial leagues, Woodrow first became a vital cog of the Cebu Doctors College that won the Cebu Amateur Athletic Association now CESAFI in 1999.

Woodrow’s remain lies at the residence of his parents in Barangay Mabolo, this city.– LPM (FREEMAN)