The Alaska Aces’ winless run in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup extended to five games following their close loss to the Magnolia Hotshots on Sunday night, but main man Vic Manuel was hardly downcast.
“Puro positive pa naman kami, ‘di kami nado-down talaga. Ganun din sa’min ‘yung mga coaches eh, ‘yung tiwala nila andun pa rin,” said the 6-foot-4 forward moments after the 90-95 defeat.
For Manuel, Sunday was the best game the Aces have played so far this conference — especially compared to their first four games, where they lost by an average of 19.5 points.
Against Magnolia, Alaska came back from 15 down in the third and inched within four, 90-94, with 1:01 left to play. Unfortunately, they then failed to convert their shots, while Paul Lee’s split ended it all.
“Ito na nga ‘yung pinaka-magandang game namin. Parang na-down kami ng fifteen. Pagbalik namin galing sa timeout, nakabalik kami sa game,” said Manuel, who had 22 points and five rebounds.
“‘Yung binibigay sa ‘min na instruction ni coach Jeff, talagang positive kaya medyo napaganda,” he added.
Still, the Aces are at the bottom of the standings at 0-5, and one wrong move could put their playoff hopes in peril. But Manuel said that that goal is still attainable for last year’s finalists.
Manuel even cited Meralco as an example. Back in last year’s Governors’ Cup, the Bolts were 1-6, but swept their last four games and even made it to the semis. They eventually fell to Alaska.
“Sabi sa amin ni coach Jeff, kahit five out of six lang, may chance pa naman siguro sa playoffs. Kailangan mas focused kami sa mga next game namin. Talagang every game, crucial na,” said the 32-year-old Manuel.
“Naalala namin yung ginawa ng Meralco noong time na yun. Parang every game crucial sa kanila. Siguro kung nagawa nila, baka magawa din namin.”
