Family, longtime dream motivate ex-UV star Manzo to join PBA Draft

CEBU, Philippines —  Former University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers star guard Jun Kent Manzo is among the bunch of pro aspirants joining in the 2021 PBA Rookie Draft that will be held virtually for the first time on March 14.

The 23-year-old Manzo hails from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte but first shot to basketball fame while donning UV’s green and white jersey in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI).

Manzo saw action with the Green Lancers for three years from 2013 to 2015 before moving to Manila to hook up with the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons in the UAAP.

Manzo’s all-around hardcourt brilliance further shined with the Maroons, logging in an average of 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game in his first playing year as an Isko back in 2017.

In his second year, the spunky 5-foot-10 playmaker helped steer the Maroons to the UAAP Season 81 Finals. Unfortunately, they got swept by the Ateneo Blue Eagles in their best-of-three championship series.

Manzo, this time as team captain, capped his three-year stint with the Maroons with a modest average of 8.4 points, 4.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game as UP finished third in UAAP Season 82 two years ago.

After his collegiate days, Manzo had a brief stint with the Alberei Kings in the 2019 PBA D-League Foundation Cup. He was then signed up by the Zamboanga Family’s Brand Sardines in the MPBL in November 2019 but wasn’t able to play for the team because of the pandemic.

As he ponders on the future of his career, Manzo eventually decided to enter the PBA Draft feeling that he is primed and ready for the big league gleaned on his vast experience both in the amateur and commercial ranks.

Like the rest of the PBA hopefuls, Manzo has a driving force in his bid to make it to Asia’s first professional league.

Chief among them is his family, Manzo’s immovable pillar of strength and constant source of inspiration.

“First and foremost, my motivation (in joining the PDA Draft) is my family. I want to pay them back for what they have done to me. I would not be where I am today without them,” said Manzo. “I just hope and pray that God will grant my dream of playing in the PBA.”