VIC Manuel and Chris Banchero vowed to be ready to play for Alaska once the 2019 PBA Commissioner's Cup begins on Sunday.
"Yeah, I'll be ready," said Banchero. Manuel chimed in, saying, "Pinapahinga ko lang. Medyo may naramdaman ako nung mga nakaraang araw kaya di ko rin muna nilalaro."
Both players have opted to take the day off owing to hurting calves, with their sights already set on the coming second conference.
Jeron Teng, who is also feeling under the weather, sat out Alaska's tuneup game against Meralco on Tuesday at Gatorade Hoops Center.
Manuel sat out the entire Philippine Cup due to lingering back issues, while Banchero played through a hurting hand before Alaska bowed to Phoenix in the quarterfinals.
The two hope to give the Aces a boost in a killer Commissioner's Cup schedule, with the Aces scheduled to play four games in 11 days.
Alaska unveils import Chris Daniels in its opener against Columbian on Sunday, before taking on NorthPort next Wednesday, May 22.
The Aces continue their grinding schedule versus TNT on May 25, before meeting NLEX four days later on May 29.
"Hindi ko na ilalaro ito sa tune-up," said Manuel, who is still yet to make his season debut. "Sa practice na lang ako. Mas importante yung mga laro sa conference na."
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
