Paul Desiderio and Jett Manuel. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With its first win out of the way, University of the Philippines’ Jett Manuel did not waste any time flashing that smile of utter happiness.
As the buzzer sounded signifying the Fighting Maroons’ 75-71 win over University of the East, UP was the picture of championship jubilation with players rushing to hug each other on the floor.
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“It’s very emotional, down three games and this being my final year very emotional talaga ito,” said Manuel, who had 17 points as they broke their three-game losing streak to start the season. “I still know that are 10 games left, I just believe that there is still a light at the end of the tunnel.”
“We are going to enjoy this win.”
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UP started the season 0-3 and talks about a winless season started to surface anew, but against the Red Warriors, who themselves stayed winless, the Fighting Maroons lived up to the first word of their moniker.
And Manuel was the one who willed the team to their first win of the season.
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With the scores tied at 69-69, Manuel started to drive to the basket but found an opening in the free throw line where he pulled up for a jumper for a 71-69 lead in the final minutes of the game.
“This is the light at the end of the tunnel, the tunnel keeps going on going, we’ve got a long way to go, and this is the hump we needed to get over,” said Manuel.