After trade demands, Vic Manuel to stay with Alaska

Alaska big man Vic Manuel is staying with the Aces. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Vic Manuel’s offseason saga is finally over and the big man has decided that he will be staying put in Alaska.

As per the PBA’s official website, Manuel is set to sign a new contract with the Aces ending a month-long debacle that saw the power forward flirt with joining other clubs.

Danny Espiritu, Manuel’s agent, said that only Manuel’s signature is needed to finalize the deal.

“We are almost done on a (new) contract for Vic,” said Espiritu Wednesday. “In a matter of days, maybe next week, we will sign the deal.”

Espiritu did not expound on the deal but the report said that Manuel is expected to sign a max contract of P420,000 per month excluding bonuses.

Those terms ultimately made Manuel decide to stay with the Aces after his previous contract expired in December of 2020.

The Aces initially offered Manuel a two-year contract but the 33-year-old wanted a three-year deal.

This standoff was what led to Manuel holding out on a signing a new contract but head coach Jeffrey Cariaso intervened, going on a lengthy conversation with his star forward and promising to build the Aces around him.

It was during this time that Manuel bared he wanted to play for either San Miguel, Phoenix, and NLEX.