THE Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup is supposed to be the conference where big imports showcase their preternatural athleticism and skill as they dominate the field.
That hasn’t been the case at all as local boy Vic Manuel took over the spotlight as he led the Alaska Aces to back-to-back lopsided routs of overmatched opponents.
Manuel posted up inside the paint and scored at will to lead the Aces to a 134-103, rout of Columbian Dyip last Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces terrorized the Dyip at the defensive end with their pressure defense while relying on their inside-outside offense built on the post plays of Manuel and the outside sniping of import Antonio Campbell.
The Aces settled the outcome of the match as early as halftime after outscoring Columbian 42-9 in the second period to build a 36-point, 73-37, edge at the halfway mark.
Manuel was unstoppable as he came in to replace Campbell. The local big man came back to the field late in the period and led the Alaska demolition of the Dyip. Manuel was unstoppable from near the goal and Abel Galliguez and Kevin Racal sniped from the outside as the Aces finished the half with a 20-5 run to turn the game into a fearful rout.
With the outcome of the game settled after two quarters the two teams just traded baskets in the third. The Aces eventually held on to a 34-point, 106-72 lead after three quarters.
Before that victory over the Columbian the Aces relied on their pressure defense and Manuel’s inside incursions to rout a hapless Blackwater Elite squad, 93-74, last Sunday, April 29.
Manuel scored 27 points (on 13 of 18 shooting from the field) and grabbed three rebounds. He was also named Best Player of the Game.
The Aces (2 wins, 1 loss) are now at solo third place behind unbeaten squads Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-0) and the TNT KaTropa (2-0).
The other teams include the Globalport Batang Pier (2-1), Columbian (2-2), the Phoenix Fuelmasters (1-1) and the Meralco Bolts (1-1). Bringing up the rear are the NLEX Road Warriors (0-2), Barangay Ginebra (0-1) and the Elite (0-4), The San Miguel Beermen and the Magnolia Hotshots have not yet played this conference.
The Aces have stamped their class as serious title contenders this conference and arguably the biggest reason is Manuel’s superlative performance.
After two disappointing conferences, where they failed to advance to the playoffs, the Aces finally broke through and qualified to the quarterfinals of the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup. They seem poised to improve on that finish this conference.
