Playing his best basketball, Manuel drawing inspiration from daughter

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Vic Manuel makes sure he’s always at his best on the basketball court, or else he’d end up disappointing his biggest fan, which also happens to be his five-year-old daughter Keisha.

“Palagi kasi akong pinapaalalahanan ng baby ko, lagi niyang sinasabi na ‘daddy galingan mo’ so nakaka-inspire talaga maglaro (I’m always reminded by my daughter to do my best so it’s really inspiring me to play),” said the Alaska forward on Monday afternoon after Alaska wrapped up a two-hour training session at Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

Manuel said his daughter always watches him play live and in Game 1 of the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, Keisha was there to witness her favorite player deliver the game of his life.

Manuel, who has quietly emerged as one of the best big men in the league in his fourth season, set a playoff career-high 24 points, 14 of which coming in the final quarter to lead the Aces’ comeback win over the San Miguel Beermen.

The 28-year-old Manuel, who is averaging a team-high 15.2 points per game this season, shared the best player of the game honors with his daughter, whom he carried in his arms during the post-game interview.

“Lagi siyang nakasuporta sakin (She always there to support me). Talagang sobrang hilig niya kasing manood ng basketball. Lagi niyang tinatanong sa akin kung kailan kami pupunta sa Araneta (She really likes watching basketball). Laging nanonood yon ang kulit nga eh (She always watches me play and she’s very playful),” said Manuel, who shot 10-of-15 from the field and had five rebounds, two steals and a block.