CESAFI: UV’s Manzo graduates from bench to unstoppable scorer

Mars G. Alison

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CESAFI: UV’s Manzo graduates from bench to unstoppable scorer
Jun Kent Manzo turned down an opportunity to play at San Beda to remain at the University of the Visayas, where he has become a breakout star in the CESAFI

CEBU CITY, Philippines – There is no one who has followed the 15th CESAFI men’s basketball tournament closely who has not noticed the hardcourt heroics of 18-year-old Jun Kent Manzo III, the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers’ point guard.

No one has improved their game as vastly as Manzo, who also won the MVP award at this year’s All-Star game.

The 5-foot-9 guard Manzo, who says he stays after-hours to work on his shooting, has seen a noticeable spike in his scoring as the season progressed, going from 8.3 points per game during the eliminations to 13.5 in the semifinals, all the way up to 22.7 in the first 3 finals games alone.

Manzo has become even more instrumental for UV especially as the season begun the best of 5 finals series pitting the Green Lancers against the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors. 

Last Tuesday, Manzo was pivotal in dismantling the defense of the Warriors to scatter 20 points and led the Green Lancers to a much needed victory in Game 2 to level the series at 1-all despite getting a bloodied chin for his trouble.

He also topscored in Game 1 with 23 points in a losing effort, and was a beacon of hope in a Game 3 loss on Thursday with 25 points.

From bench player to All-Star

Despite not named to the starting lineup often this season, Manzo has been enjoying longer playing time than he did in his first collegiate season last year.

Jun Kent Manzo has gone from averaging 8.3 points a game in the eliminations to 22.7 in the Finals. Photo by Ronex Tolin/Rappler

“I always do that basta pasudlon ko ni coach. Mo duwa jud ko bisan magki naunsa (I always do that every time the coach sends me in. I always play no matter what happens),” said Manzo, who is currently on the second year of his Bachelor of Science in Hotel Restaurant and Management studies.

Manzo says he tries to give more than what’s been asked of him each time on the court, a testament to how close he has grown with his team.

In a sense, the UV Green Lancers have become a second family to him. Manzo says his parents separated when he was young and now each have their own separate families.

This native of Nasipit, Agusan del Norte in Mindanao was an only child before his parents went their separate ways, but now has many brothers on the court.

“I just focus, practice self discipline and play hard as I can.”

Manzo was influenced into the sport by his father, who was a collegiate ball player himself in Mindanao. 

He started playing at the age of 7 and went on to be part of the secondary basketball team of Region 13 or the Caraga Region, where he was introduced to then UV Green Lancers assistant coach Bong Pineda. 

At the age of 15 years old, he decided to leave his hometown to pursue his love for basketball in a new city, where he has few relatives and lives at the school quarters with his teammates. At one point he played for the school’s passerelle and secondary varsity teams at the same time.

“They (parents) agreed because I really love basketball and it is for my future.”

At 16, Manzo already gave notice of his court brilliance when he was named into the mythical 5 after the UV Passerelle team finished as first runner-up to the Laguna team in the PBA Youngstars in 2013. As a UV Baby Lancer, he was named to the All-Star squad.

He drew the attention of San Beda College in the NCAA, which offered him a place to play after high school. He decided to remain with UV.

“I don’t regret staying with UV.”

Just like any collegiate player, Manzo wants to end his career by handing UV more titles and then perhaps play in the PBA D-league and the PBA.

“Hard work and prayers so you can get your goals,” Manzo said, when asked for advice to young basketball aspirants.

“You should be able to balance your time well,” Manzo adds, referring to how he juggles his studies, being a member of the varsity team and finding time for extra practice.

Who he looks up to

Manzo names Kyrie Irving as a player he looks up to in international basketball because of his superb ball handling and Jayson Castro among the locals for his fast moves.

With his accomplishments so far this season and especially in the ongoing finals series, it will not be surprising if Manzois in the running for the MVP honors. However, for the UV standout, the title is the main goal. – Rappler.com

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