CEDRICK Manzano's call-up to the Gilas Pilipinas team for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand came out of left field for many.
But for Adamson coach Nash Racela, it's a testament to the workrate that the Romblon-born banger has done in his time in San Marcelino that is now finally being recognized.
"Siyempre, we're proud that he was considered and eventually made it to the final lineup," he told SPIN.ph.
Manzano was one of the late additions to the national team, an unexpected twist for the career of the 6-foot-5 forward at the conclusion of his time as a Soaring Falcon.
READ: Dalph Panopio, Cedrick Manzano beef up Gilas team for SEA Games
He averaged 11.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in his last year in college.
Though heartbroken following the Adamson's exit in UAAP Season 88, Racela shared that Gilas deputy Sandy Arespacochaga approached Manzano and floated the prospect of wearing the flag.
Two weeks later, that idea came to fruition.
Laban, Adamson! Laban, Pilipinas!
Manzano is now set to follow the footsteps of fellow ex-Soaring Falcon Jerom Lastimosa who won the gold medal with the Filipino squad in 2023 in Cambodia.
This, to Racela, is also a triumph for the program that he's building, with national team coaches like Norman Black citing the quality of the players they hone.
"We're thankful to the coaches for recognizing how Cedrick impacted the Adamson program," he said, while also having that full belief in the ability of his ward to be as effective in the biennial meet.
"We know and have no doubt that he could duplicate this performance at the international level."
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