Bothered by knee injury for most of his time with San Miguel, Vic Manuel now makes the most of his new PBA chapter with Terrafirma.
As he reset his career with Terrafirma in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Vic Manuel could not help but feel like he is a rookie all over again.
It is easy to understand why.
With the Dyip, Manuel gets the minutes he hardly got with San Miguel and even plays a major role for the team.
Coming into the match against Meralco, Manuel has normed 22.5 points for the Dyip in two outings after being on sickbay in their opening assignment.
Against the Bolts, Manuel tallied 13 points, including the freebies that tied the match at 91-all on Friday, Dec. 6.
Though they lost, the veteran forward expressed the joy he felt in suiting up for Terrafirma.
“Sobrang saya. Parang gigising ka 'pag may game kayo, excited kang pumunta sa court kasi alam mong maglalaro ka. Yun nafi-feel ko ngayon. Sobrang saya,” said Manuel, who was traded from the San Miguel to the Dyip days before the conference unfurled.
[RELATED STORY: Vic Manuel shows flash of old self, fires 23 points in Terrafirma debut]
Manuel nearly carried his new squad to its first win after a 0-3 start, but Terrafirma just could not wrap it up in the end.
Manuel also had two rebounds, two assists and a steal in 27 minutes and 33 seconds on the court.
Terrafirma new acquisition Vic Manuel tries to deny Meralco's Cliff Hodge in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup duel on Friday, Dec. 6. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
He said that he enjoys every moment he spends on the court and tries to contribute in any way he can to repay the trust given to him by the Terrafirma coaching staff led by Raymond Tiongco.
“Kumportableng maglaro kasi talagang na-miss ko, eh. Ini-enjoy ko talaga every minute na nasa court ako. Kung anong maitutulong ko, ibibigay ko,” Manuel said.
"'Yung tiwala ni coach, nandoon, eh. Malaki ang tiwala [niya] sa'kin. Pinupuntahan talaga ako. May options siya para sa'kin. Kailangang suklian."
Bothered by a left knee injury for most of his stint with the Beermen, Manuel said he understands why he got scant minutes with the multititled squad.
“Galing akong injury. Hindi ko masisi 'yung dati kong team. 'Di ko makuha ang timing ko doon. So ngayon, binibigyan ako ng opportunity na makapaglaro, susuklian ko lang ang tiwalang ibinibigay sa'kin,” he said.
But as excited as he is day in and day out, the 37-year-old said he could not help but feel the weight that comes with age.
“Feeling ko, parang rookie [ulit ako] pero nararamdaman ng katawan ko ('yung pagod),” Manuel said with a hearty laugh.
“Wala, eh. Ito ang trabaho namin. Na-miss kong maglaro. Talagang kahit nagkakaedad na, ibibigay ko pa rin 'yung 100 percent ko para makatulong sa team.”
Manuel is expected to take the same major role anew as he takes on his former team on Dec. 13 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.