Alaska’s campaign in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup came to a bitter end on Sunday evening after bowing to Allein Maliksi and title favorites Meralco Bolts in their quarterfinal clash.
Still, Vic Manuel was hardly downcast, instead sticking to the positives of the Aces’ run in the season-ending conference.
The Milkmen looked on their way to an early vacation after losing their first five games. They then turned things around by winning five of their last six games to enter the quarters as the seventh seed.
Additionally, the team underwent changes before and during the meet, including a trade that saw Chris Banchero go to Magnolia Hotshots for Rodney Brondial and Robbie Herndon.
For the 6-foot-4 Manuel, Alaska’s ability to rise above challenges and reach the playoffs makes him proud.
“Masaya ako kasi nung nag-start kami, zero-five, tapos nakapasok pa kami ng playoffs, tapos nag-number seven pa kami,” said Manuel after the 84-94 defeat at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“Dun pa lang, masaya na kami kasi marami ring nangyari sa team namin,” he added. “Ngayon nakakalungkot kasi may chance din kaming manalo, eh medyo kinapos kami.
“Move on na lang kami.”
The Aces now have enough time to recover and prepare for the next season. But not for Manuel.
The seven-year pro out of PSBA on Friday was named to Gilas Pilipinas’ 12-man lineup for the 30th Southeast Asian Games, marking the very first time that Manuel will play for the national team.
And he feels thrilled to have this opportunity, since playing for flag and country has been a dream of his.
“Siyempre masaya ako na nakasama ako sa lineup ng Gilas, sa final twelve,” he said. “Dream ko talaga makalaro dun eh. Binigyan ako ng chance, siyempre grab ko. Achievement sa ‘kin ‘yun.”
Manuel also admitted he’d never expected to be part of the team considering how deep the 15-man pool was. Still, a series of events led to his chance, such as the thumb injury of Greg Slaughter.
Slaughter and his fellow Barangay Ginebra players Scottie Thompson and Art Dela Cruz were the final cuts.
“Nung una hindi eh. Parang alanganin pa ‘yung spot ko dun nung una. Masaya talaga ako nung nakuha ako,” he saud. “Biruin mo si Greg Slaughter pa ‘yung na-cut.
“Greg Slaughter ‘yun eh.”
Now, though, the cager from Licab, Nueva Ecija plans to contribute the best he can for Gilas, which is gunning for the Philippines’ 18th gold medal in SEA Games men’s basketball.
“Kung ano ‘yung naitutulong ko sa team ko, sa Alaska, kailangan mas doblehin ko pa dun. Kasi hindi na Alaska ‘yun, Pilipinas na ‘yung ipinaglalaban natin dun.”
