When the 12th pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft was about to be named, there was silence all over the Robinson’s Place Manila. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, a team that just won the 2017 Governors’ Cup, was about to make its pick.
And with that announcement, the gallery exploded into chants of “GI-NE-BRA!”. The life of Jett Manuel, who became the first-ever licensed engineer to be drafted in the PBA, just changed.
“Being part of the most storied franchise in the league is a huge blessing.
“I am just thankful for this opportunity that they are giving me and I promise that I won’t disappoint them,” shared Manuel, who was overcome by how the Ginebra faithful quickly embraced him.
“For me naman, any team has pressure but its magnified in Ginebra because of the fanbase and the history of the team. As I approach everything else, I take it as a challenge. As a player, I’m just excited to live up to the expectations that comes with it,” added Manuel, who is one of the pivotal figures that helped turned around the fortunes of the UP Fighting Maroons.
In the last two drafts, the Gin Kings have selected two players that quickly cracked coach Tim Cone’s rotation. Back in 2015, they selected all-around guard Scottie Thompson as the fifth overall pick. A year later, Ginebra selected Kevin Ferrer in the special Gilas draft. And both have been pivotal in Ginebra’s stellar 2016-17 campaign.
Though tempering expectations on what he can bring to an already-solid Ginebra squad, the 24-year-old combo guard is still taking it one step at time, planning to be like a sponge and learn from the best — namely 20-time PBA champion coach Tim Cone and three-time Finals MVP LA Tenorio.
“Coach Tim Cone is one of the best basketball minds in the country,” shared Manuel, “I’m just excited to learn under him because I’m still a student of the game, I just want to learn, learn, and learn.
“Who better to learn from than coach Tim?”
“I’m also excited to play with LA. As I said, I want to learn more,” the 6-foot-2 guard furthered.
“My goal is to be a combo guard. Who better than to learn from one of the best in this generation to play in that position.”
Safe to say, the Ginebra faithful does not need to worry on how Manuel will cope up with the pressure that comes with wearing the legendary Red and White jersey of the Gin Kings.
