Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
2018 pba commissioners cup – alaska def blackwater – vic manuel (2)
2018 pba commissioners cup – alaska def blackwater – vic manuel (2)

Basketball

Gun shy no more, Vic Manuel shoots way to career-high


Vic Manuel has always been known as one of Alaska’s aces on defense — so much so that Milkmen head coach Alex Compton has ribbed him to take shots, the 30-year-old admitted.

“Yun nga, lagi ako niloloko ni Coach Alex, sinasabi niya sa’kin na mahiyain nga raw ako tumira,” said the six-foot-four Manuel with a chuckle.

“Lagi niya ‘ko sinasabihan ng ganon.”

So the six-year pro obliged.

On Sunday against the Blackwater Elite, Manuel shot 13-of-18 from the field, shooting his way to a career-high 27 points to lead the Aces to their first win in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup, 93-74.

Fifteen of his points came in the fourth quarter alone, helping the Aces steady the ship as the Elite surged back from 30 points down and knocked to within seven early in the said chapter.

“Vic is just a scorer,” lauded Compton. “He’s got an uncanny knack for making shots… He’s got an uncanny control of the ball, even if his body is going sideways, going against bigger guys.

“He was fantastic.”

But for the Nueva Ecija native, his new career-high — which eclipses his previous record of 26 two Commissioner’s Cups ago — was all brought upon by his readiness to play whenever checked in.

“Ready lang ako ipasok ni Coach kasi nga alam ko yung playing te ko medyo limited ngayon, kasi may import kami,” he said. “Ready lang ako maglaro every time na ipapasok niya ‘ko.”

Manuel’s game was surprising since his stats had seen a bit of a drop — it usually occurs to locals during the import-laden conferences — but then, he proved otherwise.

#ReadMore  Matthew Wright on Phoenix's loss to San Miguel: 'It was like they finally jelled today'

So after Sunday’s outing, the barrel-chested power forward makes it known that he’ll now try to be more assertive on offense in the coming games, since he is one of the Aces’ options.

“Titira at titira pa rin ako e, kahit anong sabihin niya (Compton). Nasa option naman ako pagdating sa scoring.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Vic Manuel made an impressive debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), leading the Pangasinan Heatwaves to a thrilling 95-86 victory over the...

Basketball

NCAA squads Letran Asenso Bancoro and College of St. Benilde secured breakthrough victories in the 3rd Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament,...

Basketball

Zamboanga and Basilan Starhorse secured back-to-back victories to open the 3rd Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament on Tuesday night at the...

Basketball

Basilan Starhorse delivered a thrilling 60-57 victory over De La Salle University, while the Zamboanga Valientes fended off a late surge from College of...

Basketball

Familiar faces from the PBA took the sidelines to help grow women’s basketball at the inaugural Women’s Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (WMPBL) opener. PSP,...

Basketball

Count Vic Manuel in among people crossing their fingers to see Terrence Romeo suit up sooner, with Terrafirma badly needing all the help it...

Basketball

Rain or Shine was hardly shaken in the face of danger and overcame the upset bid of Terrafirma, 124-112, to extend its winning streak...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee dropped 49 points to power Barangay Ginebra past the luckless Terrafirma, 114-98, and get back on track in the PBA Season 49...

Advertisement