Vic Manuel vowed to give his best effort once Gilas Pilipinas starts its build-up for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The Alaska Aces star has been included in the 15-man pool made for the meet. Still, he never expected to participate since he has never been invited to the national team before, let alone played for it.
“Excited siyempre. Kinakabahan [din], siyempre first time eh. Basta ready lang ako ‘pag mag-practice na kami,” said Manuel on Sunday, after Alaska lost to San Miguel the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“Kung ano yung binibigay kong best sa Alaska, mas dodoblehin ko yung effort ko doon.”
The 6-foot-4 forward from Nueva Ecija was a personal choice of coach Tim Cone, since the PBA’s winningest tactician believes that Manuel can dominate in the ASEAN level.
“I’m excited about Vic because I think Vic would be a dominant player in the Southeast Asian level,” said Cone in an interview last Thursday, moments after the pool announcement.
“He’s got that sweet jump-shot. That’s the reason why we put him there,” Cone added.
“Vic was one of my personal choices. I think he’ll do really well in that level of play.”
Cone’s words — and the personal decision to pick him — flattered Manuel. So now he looks to repay the trust given to him by the two-time Grand Slam-winning mentor.
“Nakakatuwa nga eh. Thankful ako nung tinawag niya ‘ko, wala akong masabi. Talagang ‘di ko ine-expect na tatawagin niya ‘ko. Kailangan suklian ko yung tiwalang binigay niya sa’kin,” he said.
Besides his gratitude to Cone, Manuel is also out to prove that he deserves to be with Gilas.
“Nae-excite talaga ako na kinakabahan, siyempre alam naman natin pagdating sa national team maraming basher. Siyempre kailangan ipakita natin na deserving tayo na maglaro dun,” he said.
“Kailangan ipakita mo talaga na one-hundred percent ka para sa bansa natin.”
