IN the quiet moments after Adamson’s season-ending 61–72 loss to Ateneo, head coach Nash Racela didn’t dwell much on their missed chances or the what-ifs of their campaign.
Instead, he focused on stating how proud he is with the growth of Cedrick Manzano.
While the Falcons fell short of their target of eight wins which would've brought them to the semifinals, it was certainly not because of Manzano’s effort on the floor.
READ: Ateneo playoff push keeps going after ousting Adamson
“Adamson is very thankful to him for the five years na nandun siya. Siya, perfect example sa mga iba na pumili ng isang eskwela na hindi masyado pinupuntahan ng ibang players,” Racela said.
“He chose Adamson. He grew with Adamson, the growth that we’ve seen over the last years. That’s why ganyan siya ngayon. I’m happy and we know that there will be a lot of opportunities for him after Adamson,” the tactician added.
For Racela, Manzano’s five-year run with the team will be remembered on how he transformed from a 'baby boy' to the dominant presence that he is now.
“When Cedric first went to us, Baby Boy Manzano pa nga ang tawag sa kanya,” Racela recalled.
“He wasn’t the player he is now.”
What changed was something deeper than height, timing, or footwork. It was his mindset.
“He came to a point na sabi niya, ay teka, may mga kailangan akong baguhin. That’s why nag-grow yung game niya," he said.
That turning point became the anchor of his college career. The Romblon native evolved from a young project big into one of the best interior players in the UAAP - and Racela witnessed every step of that growth.
“We want to produce the next Cedric Manzano,” Racela told his team after their final game.
“It’s good that the younger players - [Kobe] Demisana, [Louie] Perez, [Jireh] Tumaneng - na-experience si Cedric for one year,” he added.
“Nakita nila kung paano magtrabaho, paano mag-focus, yung mga sacrifice niya every day. Kaya nakarating siya sa ganito.”
Still he knows it will be easier said than done.
“Mahirap palitan si Manzano, si Cedric, pero pipilitin namin."
But the gratitude goes both ways as Manzano will always be grateful to the community for embracing him, and for the coaches who molded him to not only become the player that he is, but more importantly - the person that he is today.
“Para sa akin, madami ako natutunan. Lalo na kay coach yung maging humble lang kasi di mo alam kung saan ka mapupunta. Pag naging humble ka, up and down ka man, at least wala kang tinatapakang tao," Man zano said.
“Malaking tulong yun. Growth yun para sa akin papunta sa pro kasi parang hindi na ako mahihirapan sa pro, naranasan ko na dito sa college yung mga gano’ng situation.”
The Adamson skipper, however, still isn’t sure about his next steps as he departs the blue-and-white.
“Hindi ko pa alam yung plano ko. Plano ko lang magpahinga muna tapos bahala na.”
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