Bid farewell to the past year and embrace the new one with your favorite PBA baller, veteran Vic Manuel of Terrafirma.
Vic Manuel had a very challenging 2024 as far as basketball is concerned. But he simply grabbed each by the horns and soldiered on.
There was still plenty to be thankful for, according to the “Muscle Man.”
After all, Manuel finally got to play extended minutes with his new team, Terrafirma, after being traded from powerhouse San Miguel before the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup unveiled.
Reminisce and reflect with the now Dyip ace in this chat with One Sports.
One Sports: What would you say is your greatest achievement in 2024?
Vic Manuel: Siguro, 'yung healthy 'yung mga baby ko. 'Di sila nagkakasakit tapos magkakasama kami sa whole year. 'Yun lang. Tapos maging healthy rin ako, siyempre.
OS: If you could change anything that happened the past year, what would it be and why?
Vic: Siguro 'yung ano lang, 'yung sana manalo kami. (laughs) 'Yun 'yung wish kong puwede sanang mabago.
[RELATED STORY: Vic Manuel, Terrafirma head to Christmas break winless: 'Hindi ako sanay']
OS: What would you say is the biggest lesson 2024 taught you?
Vic: Marami, marami… (long pause). 'Yung makapag-spend siguro ako ng mahabang oras sa pamilya ko. Kasi before, sobrang busy. Aalis ako ng medyo tanghali tapos pag-uwi ko, hapon na. Ngayon, umaalis ako nang maaga tapos makakauwi ako nang mas maaga kasi nag-adjust ang practice. Mas marami akong time sa kanila.
OS: Can you name three of the biggest blessings you received this year?
Vic: Blessings sa 2024… hindi ko mabilang 'yung mga nangyari sa'king magaganda, eh. Siyempre, unang-una, nakabalik ako sa playing court. 'Yun 'yung ipinagdarasal ko talaga, makapaglaro pa ako. 'Di man ako healthy ngayon, pero at least, nakakapaglaro talaga.
OS: Does playing on the court give you a different level of happiness?
Vic: Oo, sobra. Hindi ko masabing malungkot ako sa last team ko, eh. Pero siyempre, mas masaya ako ngayong mas nakapaglalaro ako. Nailalabas ko 'yung enjoyment. Hindi tulad before, isip ako nang isip. Parang nakaka-depress, nakaka-stress. Tapos ngayon, dito sa court, nailalabas ko lahat. Nakakapag-enjoy ako.
[RELATED STORY: Goodbye 2024, hello 2025: LA Tenorio values blessings, learnings of every day]
OS: Do you have any New Year’s tradition?
Vic: Nag-a-out of town lang kami. Nag-i-i-spend kami ng New Year na magkakasama kami. Pupuntang Baguio, ganiyan.
OS: Where do you plan to go this year?
Vic: Taga-Rizal ako. Mayroon kaming puntahan na place sa Rizal. Sa taas siya ng mountain tapos nakikita mo ang clouds. 'Yun 'yung gusto kong puntahan ngayon. Parang resort 'yun.
OS: What is your New Year’s resolution?
Vic: Siguro sa'kin, sa family ko pa rin. 'Yun naman ang priority ko. Mas healthy, mas maraming blessings na dumating sa papasok na year. Maging mas healthy pa ako.