Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
In the tight race for the top spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, one man has stood out for one of the best teams in the league.
Alaska is in the running for the No. 1 seed this conference with a 7-1 record and it’s largely because of its power forward Vic Manuel.
The Aces 6-foot-4 big man has wreaked havoc in the league putting up 24.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in eight games.
And Manuel feels he’s in the best form of his career.
“I think this is it,” said Manuel in Filipino after Alaska’s 120-11 win over NLEX Friday at Mall of Asia Arena. “I’m healthy right now, I’m playing well, and I’ll just continue what I’m doing.”
Manuel has scored at least 22 points in his last seven games and the only time his scoring dipped below 20 was during the Aces’ opening game loss t0 Rain or Shine, 109-103, in a game where he had 12 points.
These scoring exploits made Manuel the sixth-best scorer in the conference and the top among locals.
And Manuel has one person to thank for high caliber offense—two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso.
“Coach Danny has been a very big help for me and for the other big men in the team,” said Manuel, who finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds against the Road Warriors. “We’re getting extra work out every day and we’re really pushing hard in practice.”
Ildefonso started working as an assistant coach in Alaska at the start of the 2017-2018 season when the spot opened up after Louie Alas and Topex Robinson left for Phoenix.
“What Vic’s done is all on himself because he’s been listening diligently,” said Ildefonso. “I’m just teaching him new techniques like attacking the basket and shooting from the perimeter.”