He was perfect from the field, too.
“Kumpyansa lang.”
That appeared to be Vic Manuel’s favorite phrase when he faced the reporters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
This after the San Miguel Beermen slotman followed up a 23-point performance with 20 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal in a 121-105 win over Converge FiberXers in the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Still not at full strength, Manuel went a perfect 9-of-9 from the field and attributed his recent performances to coach Jorge Gallent and his staff’s confidence in him.
“Yung binibigay saking kumpyansa ng mga coaches, lalo na si coach Jorge, binigay niya sa’kin tong spot na mag-start ako. Naging motivation na mag-perform nang maayos para makatulong ako sa team,” he said.
He didn’t forget to deflect credit to his teammates, too.
“Hinahanap din ako ng mga teammates ko. Lahat naman ng shots ko open talaga. Kumpyansa lang. Hangga’t pumapasok, tira lang nang tira,” he said.
Indeed, the 6-foot-4 banger helped the June Mar Fajardo-less Beermen punch the first ticket to the semifinals against the winner of the match between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and NLEX Road Warriors.
He hopes his confidence will spill over to the penultimate stage.
“Kumpyansa lang. Dalhin ko lang sa semis,” he said.