Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2019 SEA Games

‘PBA superstar’ Vic Manuel shows what he can bring to Gilas


Vic Manuel finally made his Gilas Pilipinas debut on Wednesday evening, as the Filipino dribblers opened their 30th Southeast Asian Games campaign versus Singapore.

And the Alaska Aces star made sure that his first game in a Pilipinas uniform would be a remarkable one.

Manuel played for 10 minutes and 18 seconds, and produced 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting alongside four rebounds. His performance helped power Gilas’ 110-58 demolition of the Singaporeans.

“Well, he is the Muscle Man. And I don’t wanna embarrass him, but he displayed that tonight,” said coach Tim Cone.

“I think he’ll be good at any level, but I think he’s especially good at this level. Obviously, he’s a superstar in the PBA in his own right, but in this level, I think we can use his versatility.

And that’s the thing we were looking for, and he showed that tonight,” added the PBA’s winningest mentor.

Manuel felt flattered after learning of Cone’s praise. But regarding his performance, the 6-foot-4 forward said that it was just him being ready whenever his name gets called.

“Siyempre nakaka-proud talaga kasi ang ganda ng mga sinabi niya sa ‘kin,” said the 32-year-old Manuel. “Tulad ng sinabi ko kanina, every time na tatawagin niya ‘ko, ready lang ako.

“Kanina galing ako sa third group. ‘Yun, kailangan talaga ready lang ako kasi ang daming best players sa team natin. So kung ano ma-contribute ko, malaking bagay na ‘yun.”

The game had already been decided in the second half, but Manuel still showed aggressiveness in the fourth quarter. He even made one defender fall as he tried to create space at the post.

#ReadMore  Jordan offers to host Asia Cup as FIBA mulls postponement to 2022

For Manuel, he wants to carry his performance over the next game, which is on Friday versus Vietnam.

“Para madala natin ‘yan sa mga next game pa natin, kasi madami pa tayong pagdaraanan na games. So ‘yun, mas magandang baon ‘yun para sa next game.”

Written By

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


You May Also Like

Basketball

Ginebra head coach Tim Cone left the SMART Araneta Coliseum utterly disappointed — and puzzled — after losing to Meralco on Friday night. It...

Basketball

Meralco turned what was thought to be a dogfight to a lopsided mauling as it whipped Ginebra, 91-73, to arrest its two-game slide in...

Basketball

Justin Brownlee has officially confirmed his next destination. According to the resident Ginebra import, he will suit up for a team in the Indonesian...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo’s redemption tour continued on Sunday. Malonzo once again led Ginebra San Miguel, leading their 102-92 rout of Phoenix to remain unblemished in...

Basketball

LAPU-LAPU CITY – Australia head coach Brian Goorjian believes that Gilas Pilipinas is about to go on a ‘surge’ with Tim Cone now manning...

Basketball

All seemed fine for Scottie Thompson during the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 Qualifiers. In the two games played, the do-it-all...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo was a nervous wreck after Ginebra San Miguel’s 113-107 triumph over Rain or Shine on Friday evening. Malonzo had just played like...

Basketball

In his first game back after figuring in a melee, Jamie Malonzo produced his finest performance. The 6-foot-7 winger, despite still nursing a black...

Advertisement