Vic Manuel said he no longer feels pain after his second game this season, when the Alaska Aces took on the Meralco Bolts in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday evening.
However, the power forward nicknamed the Muscle Man said that he still has to regain his timing.
“Wala naman na, okay na yung pakiramdam ko. Siguro kunin ko na lang talaga timing ko, parang naghahabol pa ako dun,” said Manuel after Alaska’s 93-89 win, their third straight.
“Ang tagal ko ‘di naglaro, almost six months din ata.”
Still, it seemed Manuel had no issues with his timing given the way he contributed to the win.
Manuel looked back to his old ways, especially on offense. He went 6-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line en route to 17 points. He also collected six rebounds and two steals in over 24 minutes.
Aces head coach Alex Compton has already said that they are trying not to rush things with Manuel. Unfortunately, Manuel still had to play long minutes, as Chris Daniels fell into foul trouble while Jake Pascual got hurt.
“I was looking to play him fifteen, maximum eighteen today. But then, when Jake hurt his shoulder, I went with my gut,” Compton said. “I kinda kept double-checking with the coaches, like, ‘He can handle that, right? I’m not gonna hurt him, right?
“So he closed out the game for us.”
Still, for Manuel, he has no qualms if he has to play longer minutes. All he simply wants is to play.
“Kaya ko naman. Parang nag-aalala nga sila sa’kin kasi para daw akong hingal-kabayo. Pero pakiramdam ko naman kayang-kaya ko maglaro,” he said.
“Okay lang sa’kin, siyempre gustung-gusto ko yun. Ang sarap maglaro eh.”
