WORDS BY GAVIN ARCEO
San Marcelino was hella busy when I arrived. Despite the rain, students from Adamson University were piling in. It’s totally understandable because exams are upcoming, but that’s not the only thing looming.
College hoops was coming. Whether you’re a student from a UAAP school or just generally a basketball fan, I’m sure that you’re just as excited as me. I still even remember the first time I really got hooked on the UAAP as an Adamsonian.
It was a Sunday and I was traveling from my province to Manila. It was a three-hour trip, the bus was packed, standing room only. Then, I suddenly heard Boom Gonzalez’s familiar voice, shouting “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” from someone’s phone. I looked over and saw Evan Nelle nailing a buzzer beater 3 to end the half. The guy watching on his phone saw me looking and he pointed out my Adamson ID lace. He let me watch with him the S85 playoff game between Adamson and La Salle on his phone. He obviously knew that I’m rooting for Adamson. By halftime, La Salle held a double-digit lead. I stopped watching.
Moments later, the guy tapped me saying, “Dikit na!”
I pulled out my phone and streamed the game. Adamson was up by one, 75-74, with a minute left in the game. I didn’t even know why, but I was nervous. Is this how “school pride” felt? Hearing the crowd in the livestream screaming, “A-D-A-M-S-O-N!” Man, I got goosebumps.
Seconds later, the foreign student athlete at the time threw a bullet pass to this tall guy under the rim. The guy with jersey No. 10 immediately went for a reverse lay-up to put the Falcons up by three, eventually forcing their way to a Final Four berth.
The buzzer sounded and the bus arrived at our stop in Manila. People started exiting and the guy who I was watching with just gave me a thumbs up as he left. A moment still vivid to me now that I’m in my fourth year in Adamson. During that time I was a freshman and after that game I told myself that in the next three years I’ll be on the lookout to watch more.
Number 10? It was him: Cedrick Manzano. The big man in the middle for the Adamson Soaring Falcons. Now, he will be suiting up for his fifth and final year in the UAAP. He’s known for his footwork inside the paint and a consistent player in Coach Nash Racela’s rotation. He is Mr. Reliable for the Soaring Falcons. While it is almost his final playing year, let’s first take a trip down memory lane and look back to all of the “almosts” in his career.
ALMOST VOLLEYBALL
With a frame like his, you would think he’s a basketball player, but Cedrick used to be a volleyball player during his elementary days.
“Nag-Palarong Pambansa ako nung Grade 5 tapos Regionals nung Grade 6, 9, and 10,” he told me.
So how did he discover his love for basketball? It was his brother who played a big part in his basketball career.
“Napasok ako sa basketball kasi tinanong ako ng kuya ko na bakit hindi ko daw i-try basketball. So tinry ko and doon na nagsimula ‘yung pag-tryout namin…naghanap kami ng school dito sa Manila,” Cedrick said.
Who would’ve thought that we almost missed out on witnessing how Ced operates inside the paint because he was busy spiking the ball instead?
ALMOST WITH UST
He was being recruited by Coach Aldin Ayo to play for UST. He was almost supposed to be in España rather than San Marcelino. Imagine the Tigers right now having Cedrick next to Forthsky Padrigao and Nic Cabañero. The timing just wasn’t right.
“Nung time kasi sa UST, kinukuha ako ni Coach Aldin nung Grade 12. Sakto nga lang na pandemic nung time na ‘yun. So pagkatapos ko ng Grade 12 prang hindi na kasi sila nagpa-tryout kasi pandemic nga din,” he said.
That didn’t stop him from reaching the goal of playing basketball in Manila. He and his brother spent days looking for schools where he could play until the timing was right.
“Nag pa-kondisyon muna kami ng kuya ko habang naghahanap muna ng school na pwede mapag-tryout-an. Tapos may nagsabi sa akin na parang friend ko na bakit hindi ako mag pickup game sa Pasig. Kasi may mga MPBL players and sikat na coaches daw so ‘yun ginawa ko, naglaro ako doon,” he said.
“Tapos doon na ako nakita ni Coach Ryan Monteclaro, pinakilala niya ako sa mga bosses dito sa Adamson tapos ‘yun, nasakto pasukan na, enrollment na kaya nakapasok ako,” he added.
Scouted for playing pickup? Thank God for Coach Ryan Monteclaro because who knows where Cedrick Manzano could’ve landed besides the nest in San Mar.
ALMOST IN THE ROTATION
Finally in the UAAP scene. The goal of playing in Manila is already there, but that’s not the finish line, rather it was the starter pistol being shot to signal go. Cedrick started to see the challenges of being an athlete. Especially knowing that his debut in the UAAP was inside the bubble.
“Ang feeling ko nun syempre sobrang saya ko kasi may tumanggap sa talent ko. Pero sa una mahirap kasi pandemic pa. Daming swab test tas 14 days quarantine ka muna bago ka mag practice. Kailangan mo i-balance ‘yung katawan mo habang nasa quarantine ka,” he said.
That’s where team chemistry comes in. As a rookie he was just trying to be a sponge. Absorb and learn everything he can while playing his role.
“‘Yung mga former teammate ko kasi sila ‘yung nag-guide sa’kin eh. Kasi parang zero knowledge kasi ako pagdating sa basketball eh. Kaya sinusundan ko lang ‘yung mga ginagawa nila,” he said.
“Dapat tanggapin mo kung ano ‘yung role mo. Kapag tinanggap mo yung role mo, mapapadali trabaho mo. Kapag napadali ‘yung trabaho mo, wala ka na masyadong iisipin. Focus ka lang kung paano ka mag-iimprove sa isang position,” he added.
It wasn’t always easy. It will never be. Trying to get some tick for a chance to showcase yourself into the rotation. Goes to show how down to earth this guy is. Cedrick patiently waited for Coach to call his name and produce until he got in the starting lineup. And that’s what he did.
When players were down during 85, Cedrick was the next man up. With the minutes he had, he was posting double-doubles after double-doubles and even went on to sink a game-winner against UST. Fate is really playful.
ALMOST IN THE FINALS
Going to Season 88, he’s now a consistent player for Adamson. The go-to guy of the men in blue. It’s just that the UAAP is so unpredictable that anything can happen. From upsets, coming back from a huge lead, and for Ced’s case – he was always almost there.
For Cedrick, there was an ongoing pattern. He was always almost close to reaching that chip. In his past four years with Adamson it’s either they place 4th or 5th. You’d think they’ll stop there? No, because they were always willing to take on the playoffs every year just to get in the Final Four and take that chance to reach the finals.
After that playoff win against DLSU, it felt like there’s hope. Despite them losing in the Final Four to Ateneo, there was something to look forward to in the coming seasons. The following year? They gave themselves a chance.
In the second round of Season 86, a deciding match with UE was waiting. It was a must-win game for them to go on to another playoff game. In the words of Nikko Ramos, the results were, “ADAMSON LIVES, ADAMSON LIVES!” Surviving that game, 63-61, and facing Ateneo next for a ticket in the Final Four, it couldn’t have tasted any sweeter. They’ve been there before, but it immediately turned bitter as Adamson couldn’t get a hold of the Blue Eagles. Another almost for Cedrick.
Season 87 was where it was stamped. Cedrick Manzano is Adamson’s guy. They did have a rough start but entering the second round was when they started rolling. Winning crucial games to force yet again a playoff game for the third time in a row. This time, they’re trying to erase Season 86’s playoff loss. And when it mattered the most, he was there. The guy with the No. 10 jersey once again delivered. Dropping a huge double-double with 17 points and 10 boards over UE to punch a ticket to the Final Four.
Two more games and they’ll be in the finals, but that was when they stumbled upon the defending champions, DLSU. Receiving a crushing defeat and breaking their chances to go to the finals, he was really almost there.
A rollercoaster ride for Ced but it doesn’t mean they’ll get tired of it.
“Ginagawa namin motivation ‘yun. Sabi kasi nila Coach na ‘di naman kami hahantong sa ganun kung mas ginawa pa namin ng maayos nung first round,” he said.
“Dapat ‘di na kami tulad dati na puro sa second round lang kami bumabawi. Dapat first game pa lang kaya namin ipanalo,” he added.
There’s no doubt he’s aiming to break that pattern to close out his time in the UAAP. Every playoff and every Final Four will all lead up to this point. Turning his “almosts” into the topmost.
ALMOST HIS FINAL PLAYING YEAR
Now, we’re in his final year. It’s his time to take on that mentor role to the rookies. The one who’ll steer the ship to a championship. For him, it all starts with adjustments.
“Tinuturuan ko lang sila kung paano gampanan ‘yung role nila. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung pinaka-unang dapat nilang malaman sa paglalaro ng basketball. ‘Di naman puro ikaw parati. Dapat tanggapin mo talaga ‘yun,” Cedrick said on guiding the rookies.
Even in the offseason, they were making noise because of their adjustments and preparations for the upcoming season. Bagging five trophies in different leagues. Cedrick even had a couple of Finals MVPs mixed in those. Despite all of it, they’re still laser-focused on going all out in the upcoming UAAP season.
“Para sa akin, may chance kami ngayong season sa lineup namin. ‘Yung mga preseason, sinabi lang naman nila coach na parang stepping stone lang namin ‘yun sa parating na UAAP. Kasi di naman talaga ‘yun ‘yung goal namin. ‘Di lang kami para doon. So para kami sa UAAP,” he said.
From rookie to now the only senior of the team, he will always be Adamson’s baby boy. He’s someone that the community will definitely miss once it’s all said and done. More reason to root him for repping the Falcons the whole time. Five whole seasons with the San Marcelino-based squad and that’ll make you wonder: what made him stay? Simply loyalty.
“Nagpa-stay sa’kin kasi ‘yung loyalty ng Adamson sa’kin. Since day one kasi nandyan sila eh. Sila ‘yung tumanggap sa’kin ng buo. So, ibabalik ko din sa kanila,” he said.
A rare breed nowadays knowing his reason is simply giving back to the community. Another thing I concluded when I talked to Cedrick Manzano in the busy court of Saint Vincent building is that he is a man with a few words.
Didn’t really react much when I asked him if it had sunk into his mind that he’s a few days before his final year, but the look in his eyes says it all.
No past regrets. No future talks. Just locked in for his final playing year.
____________________________________________________
[Photos from UAAP Media]
