JETT Manuel returns to his roots with University of the Philippines, only this time in a different sport and not as an athlete.
The former UP Fighting Maroon who played in the men's basketball team from 2010 to 2016 has now taken the role as the program head of the UP Golf Team, which will compete in the first-ever UAAP tournament for the sport to be held from May 11 to 14 at the Tagaytay Midlands.
Also a former PBA player with Barangay Ginebra, Manuel has been playing golf since 2019, a year after he retired from professional basketball. He has been passionate about the sport since he took it, and has now become a single handicapper.
Manuel couldn't say no when the offer came to help support the UP team, the first time he got involved in the university's sports program.
“Coming from the UP basketball program, I understand what it means to represent the university and how important the right support system is for student-athletes," said the 33-year-old Manuel in a recent interview with SPIN.ph.
“UP played a big role in shaping me, so when the opportunity came to be involved with the golf team, I saw it as a chance to give back in a meaningful way. And it didn’t hurt that I am now extremely passionate about the sport,” he added.
UP's pride
Even prior to the UAAP's first staging of golf, Manuel said UP already had a program in place, even competing in various inter-collegiate tournaments. The program needed a shot in the arm when the UAAP decided that the sport be part of the calendar albeit as a demo sport, and that's where Manuel comes in.
“What I realized early on is that UP Golf already had a strong foundation. The program has actually been around for years, with a number of former players and alumni who have stayed connected to the sport - even across different UP campuses. So there’s really a rich history there that people may not immediately see. When I came in, the team itself was already in place. The captains handled the player selection and made sure we were fielding the best possible lineup," he shared.
“My role has really been more on the management side - bringing structure to the program, helping secure funding, building partnerships, and organizing support from UP alumni, both golfers and non-golfers,” he continued.
“So it’s less about building from scratch, and more about strengthening what was already there and helping move it forward in a more organized way,” Manuel added.
On Friday night, Manuel organized a simple send-off dinner for the athletes and sponsors ahead of the competition where he is hopeful that State U would be able to win a championship in the maiden tournament.
Manuel is confident about the team's chances as they have put together strong performances in inter-collegiate tournaments.
“We want to compete at the highest level and represent UP in a way that reflects the standards we’re known for. We’re coming into the UAAP with the intention to compete for a championship. We have a strong group, and the mindset to match. The players have put in the work, and there’s real accountability within the team," he said.
“But we are aware that these things are earned not given. Now it’s about executing, staying disciplined, and delivering when it matters."
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