PBA: San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent pleased with Vic Manuel’s contributions in return from sickbay

San Miguel got some much-needed boost from Vic Manuel in its 111-101 win over Meralco in Game 4 of the PBA Season 84 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 12.

In his first game back since the Beermen's semifinal duel against Rain or Shine, Manuel contributed eight points and two rebounds as San Miguel tied the series at two games apiece at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It did not go unnoticed.

San Miguel veteran Vic Manuel goes for a layup against defender Allein Maliksi of Meralco in Game 4. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon

 “I’m really happy with Vic. Even if 'yung minutes niya was only seven or eight, but he really helped us a lot,” Beermen coach Jorge Gallent said of Manuel, who was fielded in for a little more than seven minutes.

“His quality minutes were really great. He really helped the team in today's victory.”

[ALSO READ: Spoiler Alert: Meralco deals San Miguel heartbreaks in past PBA crucial battles]

Gallent bared Manuel caught an undisclosed sickness in the aftermath of their conquest of the Elasto Painters in their best-of-seven penultimate round battle which ended in a sweep last May 24.

“After the Rain or Shine series, he got kind of sick, eh. So he didn’t practice, I think, for 10 to 12 days kasi he's really feeling ill,” said Gallent.

While Manuel was still not at full strength, the veteran forward proved instrumental in the series-tying victory.

He was especially crucial in the waning minutes of the third period, where he dropped six points after main man June Mar Fajardo sat out because of foul trouble.

Vic Manuel high-fives his San Miguel teammates. | Photo (c) Sherwin Vardeleon

 The Beermen, who got 28 points and 13 rebounds from newly minted 10-time Best Player of the Conference Fajardo, kept the Bolts at arm’s length the rest of the way.

Manuel is expected to see action anew in Game 5 on Friday, June 14, at the same venue.