VIC Manuel is making the most out of his short stint with Converge.
With his playoff experience, the veteran forward is expected to give Converge stability in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals where the FiberXers will be up against Barangay Ginebra.
As the fourth-seeded team, Converge needs just to win once over the No. 5 ranked Ginebra to make its first-ever semifinal appearance.
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And Manuel knows fully well his exact role in a team where he’s now referred to as ‘Tito Vic’ in his short stay so far with the franchise.
“Medyo awkward nga, e,” he said with a grin. “Alam mo yung time na nasa Alaska pa ko, naisip ko ako na si Sonny Thoss.
“Parang ako yung Sonny Thoss ng team na ito.”
Thoss of course, was the former Alaska great who was the team’s veteran big man when Manuel joined the Aces in 2014.
And like Thoss, Manuel knows the young FiberXers team has to be guided accordingly as it seeks to make it deep into the playoffs this time.
“Kailangan i-guide lang natin sila kasi sobrang talented naman ng team na ito,” he said. “And dito, hindi ko na pasan ang daigdig.”
Manuel and the FiberXers begin their quarterfinal campaign against Ginebra on Christmas day.
The ‘Muscle Man’ hopes Converge get into the semis – or Finals, why not – if only to extend his stay with the team.
The veteran forward admitted just signing a one-conference deal with the FiberXers late in the conference, which meant things could be over once the team’s campaign comes to an end.
“Eto end of conference lang. Sila (management) na yung mag-decide on what’s next,” said the 38-year-old Manuel, who came on board the FiberXers during their final game of the eliminations.
“Sabi nila, depende na sa akin kung ano yung magiging (performance ko).”
Manuel had a modest first game with Converge, scoring five points and two rebounds in six minutes of play in a 107-95 overtime win over NLEX.
The win allowed the team to finish with a 7-4 record and assured itself of a twice-to-beat quarterfinal bonus.
Manuel admitted he’s still not 100 percent in game shape as he went on a three-week break following the loss of the Pangasinan Heatwaves to the Abra Weavers during the MPBL North Conference finals.
“Conditioning medyo kulang. Yung timing kulang pa,” said Manuel, noting he only had two days of practice under coach Delta Pineda prior to suiting up for the Meralco game.
“Pero masaya. Kahit papaano nakapag-contribute sa kaunting minuto.”
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