Aces’ Manuel attributes torrid start to better conditioning

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO — Better conditioning leads to better outputs from Vic Manuel.

For the third straight game, the Nueva Ecija native continued to light up the scoreboards, resetting a new career-high 29 points in Alaska’s 110-100 victory over TNT on Sunday.

And Manuel has nothing else to thank for but his conditioning this 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“I really put myself in better condition. I trimmed weight so that I can avoid injury,” he shared in Filipino.

“Now, I can do what I want to do because I can move well.”

From 230 poinds last season, Manuel cut down his weight to 210-215 pounds.

It also shouldn’t come as a surprise that this stretch coincided with the Aces winning three straight games, something which has been a huge confidence builder for Manuel.

“I just do what is asked of me and I become more confident whenever I score. I try not to waste the opportunities given to me by my teammates because they always look for me whenever we run the pick-and-roll,” he said.

Manuel’s stellar play has led to coach Alex Compton joking that Alaska has gotten a new reinforcement, but the tireless forward just scoffed off the remark and maintained that all he’s trying to do is to help the Aces get the win.

But this current tear also has its cons, with Manuel expecting tighter defense on him in the coming games, starting on Saturday against San Miguel.

“I know that in the next games, the defense will be more aware of me,” he said. “But the good thing with our team is that no matter if I score or not, if we get the win, we’ll be alright.”