Joaqui Manuel may have only played for four minutes on the floor for De La Salle University in Game Two of the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament Finals, but he made sure his impact was felt in the contest.
Manuel, who is on his last playing year for the Green Archers, entered the court amidst a La Salle timeout at the 6:23 mark of the fourth quarter.
He then shoved UP’s Reyland Torres, who was having a staredown with La Salle’s Evan Nelle.
The former Blue Eaglet’s antics almost forced a scuffle between both teams but, thankfully, cooler heads prevailed.
In the end, La Salle forced a Game Three with an 82-60 win over UP.
“Well, I always need to have my brother’s back – any situation, anywhere, any time. The coaches got mad at me but who cares right? They were face-to-face and I saw what he was trying to do and I just got his back all day,” said the 6-foot-3 graduating winger.
“He just said thank you but he knows that he’ll do the same for me. I know that. I know he’ll do the same for me. We’re all here together and we got ourselves here together so we’re gonna end the season together.”
It should not come as a surprise that an incident like this would happen in a Finals series between two proud schools. Manuel, as a senior, felt the need to protect Nelle, who produced 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and five steals to go along with his four points.
For his part, Nelle was thankful that Manuel had his back.
“I said thank you to Joaqui,” said the former San Beda Red Lion. “He used to be our captain. When you see your old captain do that, you saw Ben (Phillips) also, he had our backs. I said thank you to both of them because they had my back.
“Coach Topex (Robinson) had my back. I was very thankful for them. They showed out for me. They got me today.”
The Green Archers now have a chance to repeat the achievement of their Season 61 and 76 predecessors, who still won the championship despite losing Game One last Wednesday.
The challenge to do so will be difficult, as UP won’t just lay down for La Salle to win.
Manuel has been one of the most talked-about Green Archers for the past few years, mostly for the wrong reasons. However, he proved tonight that he is willing to go the extra mile for his teammates and together they can end Season 86 on the highest note.
“I feel so good but at the same time, still not satisfied. We got the job done today. We achieved our goal, which is to win today and bring it to Game Three. There’s still one more game. We’ll see,” he said.
