MANILA – Choosing to heed his family’s call, three-point gunner Jett Manuel have decided to call it quits after playing for a year for the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the PBA.
Manuel, who is a licensed engineer from University of the Philippines, declined the one-year contract extension offered by the Kings on Friday due to his desire to help his family on their business.
“It was definitely short, but definitely sweet. Choosing to retire wasn’t easy but I’m excited for everything that lies ahead,” Manuel wrote on his Instagram account. “I’ll always be connected to the game of basketball, but in a different form this time.”
Manual was selected 12th overall by the Kings in the 2017 PBA Draft and was signed to a one-year contract but was used sparingly by head coach Tim Cone due to Ginebra’s deep guard lineup.
The former UP Fighting Maroons star and former Gilas Pilipinas member was part of the Kings team that won the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the expense of San Miguel Beermen.
Cone was saddened by Manuel’s decision to retire as he was part of the Kings’ future and also regretted not to maximize his potential in his only year in the professional league.
“I was shocked to find out. I’m saddened by it all. But it takes incredible character to walk away from the game to do something for your family,” Cone said. “He said he need to go, and he wasn’t secured with his future here.”
“He felt he needed to go with his future right away and take advantage of his engineering degree,” he added. “We wish him well. He’s a good kid. I truly think he has a future in the PBA but we have different paths and we’re gonna respect his.”
With the departure of the 26-year-old Manuel, the Kings is looking to tab free agent rookie Bernabe Teodoro, who was left unsigned by the Columbian Dyip./PN
