Racela, Adamson proud of Manzano

Adamson University is mighty proud seeing Cedrick Manzano suit up for the Gilas Pilipinas squad that won the gold medal in the men’s basketball competition of the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Soaring Falcons coach Nash Racela said seeing the 6-foot-5 Manzano agreeing to play for the country at the very last minute speaks volumes about the skills, capability and values of their student-athletes.

A role player for Adamson in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, Manzano was given a call-up at the 11th hour by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas after the SEA Games organizers decided that half of the Gilas Pilipinas squad is ineligible to see action.

Without a doubt, Manzano heeded the call, making himself available despite having no preparation with the squad coached by Norman Black.

Manzano’s gesture was similar to what another ace Falcon Jerom Lastimosa did two years ago when he agreed to be part of the Gilas squad that aimed to redeem the lost gold in the Phnom Penh edition of the biennial meet.

“Of course, Adamson is very proud that we were able to contribute to the national cause,” Racela said in a report, adding that other Adamson mainstays like Shaina Nitura of volleyball and former high school star Hussein Lorana as well as coach Ana Santiago of the Blu Girls also represented the country well.

“But it’s not just Jerom and Ced who the community is proud of. Now, everyone is taking notice of the athletic program that we have.”

Manzano played a pivotal role in the title run of Gilas Pilipinas.

He provided the muscles in the shaded lanes, especially in the gold-medal match when he limited Thailand’s 6-foot-8 slotman Emmanuel Ejesu to just 13 points and eight rebounds en route to winning the gold medal.

Racela said having a solid performance in the SEA Games is a big boost to Manzano’s dream of playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.