Jun 16, 2018

For Vic Manuel, team comes first before personal glory


Vic Manuel is more focused on team-oriented goals rather than his rise to stardom. On that note Alaska has become a certified title contender for the PBA Commissioner's Cup.

Manuel registered his seventh straight 20-point game by scoring 22 in Friday's 120-111 win over NLEX, putting Alaska in a tie for the lead with Rain or Shine at 7-1.

But Manuel, the top local scorer this conference at 24.5 points, would rather concentrate on keeping the Aces' winning ways as Alaska try to finish in the top two finish at the end of the elimination round and earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

"Yung goal talaga namin is yung No. 1 or No. 2 para makabalik kami sa semis, o kung suswertehin kami, makabalik sa finals kasi matagal-tagal na kaming hindi nakakabalik doon e," Manuel said. "Kailangan lang namin paghirapan every game."

Alaska hopes to stay hot with three games left in the elims, beginning with Sunday's clash against Meralco at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Like the Aces, the Bolts are also chasing a twice-to-beat incentive.
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The Aces then play Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on June 24 at the Big Dome before taking on the Phoenix Fuel Masters at the close of their elims campaign on July 6 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Manuel savored on their latest victory as it marked the first time that Alaska beat NLEX from the time coach Yeng Guiao took charge of the Road Warriors in 2016.

NLEX entered the contest with six straight victories against Alaska since Guiao's arrival.

"Siyempre masaya dahil halos five conferences na ata kaming di nanalo sa kanila, lalo na nung last Philippine Cup na di kami nakaisa," Manuel said. (JT)