By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Alaska Aces are finally done with Vic Manuel.
After almost two months of pitching contract deals to suit Manuel, head coach Jeff Cariaso and the whole management settled on a “fair trade” that would send him to the Phoenix LPG Fuelmasters.
Included in the trade package are Phoenix’s playmaker Brian Heruela, the 2021 PBA draft sixth overall pick, the second-round no. 16 pick, and their first-round pick in the 2022 draft.
In exchange, Phoenix will be receiving Alaska’s Manuel, the 2021 PBA Draft seventh overall pick, and the second-round no. 19 pick.
The Manuel trade was done right after the Fuelmasters traded Calvin Abueva to the Magnolia Hotshots for guard Chris Banchero and a couple of draft picks.
Despite Abueva’s loss, Manuel’s addition to the Fuelmasters alongside point guard Banchero will boost their chances of improving again this season with emerging stars Jason Perkins and Justin Chua still with the team.
