Phoenix’s ‘Muscleman’ Manuel flexes on old team Alaska with first win

“Muscleman” Vic Manuel had the last laugh over his old team as the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters outgunned the Alaska Aces, 101-93, for its first win in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, July 24.

With the win, the Fuel Masters rose to a 1-2 record without star sniper Matthew Wright and new floor general Chris Banchero, while the Aces slid to a similar 1-2 slate.

Manuel led Phoenix’s inspired play with a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double in the first half alone, and ultimately finished with 26 markers and 12 boards in just 28 minutes.

RJ Jazul, another former Alaska mainstay, fired off 19 points on 4-of-9 shooting from downtown and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line.

Down 23 at the start of the payoff period, 61-84, the Aces woke up from their stupor and burst out on a massive 25-9 run capped by an Abu Tratter layup to cut the deficit to just 8, 85-94, with 1:23 left in regulation.

However, it was too little, too late for Alaska as Phoenix closed out the late rally for good with free throws off intentional fouls.

“Matt’s not here, so the others’ help really was important,” said head coach Topex Robinson after the breakthrough win. “Again, that was a total team effort. Coaches did a good job preparing for the game, and the players really competed and grinded it out with Alaska.”

Off a slow first quarter where they trailed, 18-26, the Fuel Masters then stepped on the gas in the second with a big 22-7 go-ahead run capped by a Jason Perkins layup at the 3:54 mark for the 40-33 lead.

Phoenix used that momentum to break the game wide open by the third period, as they used another key 12-3 run to turn a 53-42 halftime lead to a 20-point gap, 65-45, with nine minutes left in the quarter.

They kept this pressure up until they peaked with a 23-point lead, 84-61, at the start of the payoff period, before they coasted and surrendered a big endgame run to the Aces.

Former MPBL MVP Gab Banal flashed his offensive prowess in the loss with a team-high 17 points on 4-of-7 shooting from downtown while Tratter continued his rise as a pro big man with a 16-marker, 10-board double-double.