For the first-time in five years, Vic Manuel stood on the opposite end of a basketball court against his former running-mate and good pal Calvin Abueva.
And it was as if the two were not on opposing camps.
During one instance during the third canto, Manuel was attempting a free throw. He missed, and Abueva was there to make sure the native of Nueva Ecija knew it. It drew laughs from the crowd inside the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Nangaasar lang siya. Aapir dapat ako sa kanya kaso tinanggihan niya, nangaasar lang yun,” quipped the 30-year-old Manuel. “Ganun naman yung ginagawa niya sa ibang players nung nasa amin pa siya diba?
“‘Di naman niya ako maasar eh. Kilalang-kilala ko ‘yan.
“‘Yung mga ginagawa niya, alam na alam ko na ‘yun. Focus lang ako sa laro ko. Hindi naman niya masisira yung laro ko basta-basta,” added the six-year pro, who was in the same draft class as Abueva.
Later on, Manuel took the initiative to separate Abueva and Alaska import Mike Harris when the Pampagueño tried to get in the head of the American.
As the dust settled, Alaska were able to best Phoenix, 108-97, with Manuel finishing with nine points and four rebounds.
As the buzzer sounded, Manuel could not help but reminisce the time they spent together.
“Siyempre ano, nakakatuwa siya kalaban eh,” expressed Manuel. “Siyempre sa practice naman, parang ‘yung laro namin kanina, ganun ang ginagawa namin dito.
“Wala namang bago, laro lang kami pareho. Walang personalan, laro lang kami palagi. Parang medyo nangiliti lang kanina,” he pointed out.
“Pero yang pagkakaibigan namin sobrang lalim talaga.”
The shade of red they are wearing might be different nowadays, but the friendship between the two remains as strong as ever.
