AFTER proving himself as one of the premier big men in the PBA, Vic Manuel is moving on.
The 37-year-old power forward who rose from a small basketball program to build a 12-year PBA career with seven professional ballclubs said he is moving to the MPBL to play for the Pangasinan Heatwave once his Terrafirma contract ends at the end of the month.
Manuel said he is no longer renewing his Dyip contract and looking to sign with Pangasinan after a short stint with the Zamboanga Valientes in the Governor Hofer Invitational Basketball Championship in Zamboanga Sibugay on February 21.
SOURCES SAY: Will Vic Manuel re-sign with Dyip or move to MPBL?
Asked why he decided to leave the PBA, the pride of Licab, Nueva Ecija said he felt the move to the MPBL is the best for his career for a variety of reasons.
“Hindi naman demotion 'yun, kasi same pro league 'yan," said the 'Muscleman,' who played for the GlobalPort Batang Pier, Meralco Bolts, Air 21 Express, Alaska Aces, Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, San Miguel Beermen and the Dyip in the PBA.
"Ang akin lang is mas may chance ako na tutukan yung next phase ng career at buhay ko, yung coaching."
Manuel is currently an assistant coach of PSP Gymers at MPBL’s sister league the WMPBL and the PBA ban on its personnel, coaching staff and players from being involved in others leagues made the decision to leave easier.
“Mahirap din syempre iwan ang PBA syempre ito na tahanan ko since 2012 kaso may obligasyon an ako sa mga bata na tine-train ko,” he said.
And since former San Miguel teammate and Terrafirma partner Terrence Romeo won’t be able to continue being the head coach of the PSP Gymers because of the PBA ruling, Manuel said he is expected to be elevated to the position.
“Ako na rin kasi ang uupong coach nun kasi hindi na pwede si Terrence. May live contract siya sa PBA, ako expired na at the end of the month,” said the former PSBA star Jaguar.
“Basta ako kasi ngayon, gusto ko pang lumaro. Pero gusto nang paghandaan ang future ko. So yung opportunity na nasa harap ko ngayon, yun yung nakikita kong best option ko ngayon,” said Manuel.
Still, the 6-4 power forward is thankful for all the chances he got in the PBA after being picked ninth overall by GlobalPort in the 2012 PBA draft.
“Iba ang experience playing in the PBA. Yan ang pangarap ko na gustong gusto bata pa lang ako. Ngayon naman at MPBL, yung pangarap naman ng mga batang players ang gusto kong alalayan. Hindi na lang para sa akin ito,” said Manuel.
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