MANILA – Veteran forward Vic Manuel has made it known to the Alaska Aces that he wanted out of the team.
Manuel’s manager Danny Espiritu said the former Gilas Pilipinas forward has informed Aces head coach Jeffrey Cariaso of his desire to play elsewhere come 2021 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.
“(On Friday) night, tumawag sa akin si Vic. Sabi niya, ‘Boss may meeting kami ni Coach Jet.’ Kaming dalawa lang magmi-meeting,” Espiritu said in an interview with The Chasedown on Saturday afternoon.
“In a matter of two and a half hours, tumawag siya sa akin. Sabi ko, ‘Congrats! Kelan tayo papirma. Sabi niya, ‘Anong pipirma? Sabi ko, ayaw ko ng maglaro sa Alaska at mag-secure na kayo ng trade’,” he added.
Espiritu also shared that the 33-year-old Manuel has listed the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters as his top preferred destination where he can be reunited with former Aces teammate Calvin Abueva.
“Phoenix siyempre kasi best friend niya si Calvin e,” shared Espiritu, also Abueva’s manager. “Sa PBA bubble nga nagkakalokohan sila na magpalit sila ng jersey.”
Apart from the Fuel Masters, Manuel also listed NLEX Road Warriors for his desire to play under head coach Yeng Guiao and San Miguel Beermen, where one of his close friends Arwind Santos was playing.
Espiritu, however, said despite Manuel listing his preferred team, it is Alaska who will have the last say since the latter holds his playing rights.
“Sabi ni Coach Jet [Cariaso] sa kanya, ‘Hindi ganun kadali makakuha ng trade. Kailangan namin makakuha ng equal value kasi you are valuable sa amin’,” said Espiritu.
“‘Yung mga interesado sa kanya, personally tumatawag sa Alaska. Ang rights ng pagte-trade ay rights ng team. Hindi kami ang gumagawa ng trade. Kahit na anong gawin namin tapos ayaw niyo naman, wala naman mangyayari,” he added./PN
