Returning Manuel named week’s best
Vic Manuel (left) provides the heft, muscle and intimidating presence that helped the Alaska Aces to two wins in the PBA Philippine Cup with veteran Calvin Abueva. Also in photo is Chris Ellis of Barangay Ginebra. JUN MENDOZA
MANILA, Philippines - Back in harness after being sidelined by a calf muscle injury last season, Vic Manuel dished out a pair of solid outings to help steer Alaska to two victories in the PBA Philippine Cup the past week.
The undersized Manuel tallied a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, to go along with two blocks and a steal, enabling the Aces to complete an 81-79 come-from-behind win over the Meralco Bolts last Wednesday.
He also came off the bench to fire 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and a block as Alaska rolled past Barangay Ginebra, 102-86.
The ninth overall pick in the 2012 PBA Rookie Draft went on to average 16 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and the same number of blocks to capture the Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period of Dec. 12-18, beating a solid bunch of rivals led by three-time league MVP June Mar Fajardo of San Miguel and playmaker Alex Cabagnot, Star’s Paul Lee, TNT big man Kelly Williams and Blackwater sophomore forward Art dela Cruz.
It didn’t matter that Alaska continues to miss the services of veteran big men Sonny Thoss and Noy Baclao, both still out of commission due to separate knee injuries.
With Manuel stepping up big for coach Alex Compton, the Aces moved to joint third in the standings with Star, TNT, Blackwater and Rain or Shine at 3-2.
Overall, Alaska has won its last three outings since opening the new season with back-to-back losses to NLEX and San Miguel Beer.
The Aces will be shooting for their fourth straight win when they collide with the Katropa on Friday at the Philsports Arena.
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