Vic Manuel has been shipped to NorthPort. PBA Images (file photo) |
MANILA—Vic Manuel is making a comeback at NorthPort.
The Batang Pier reacquired Manuel after the PBA approved on Friday a trade with the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
In the process, NorthPort also took in Michael Calisaan, while Phoenix got Sean Anthony, Sean Manganti, and a future second-round pick.
The trade put an end to Manuel's short stint with the Fuel Masters that only lasted one conference.
However, this also means Manuel will return to the team where he spent his first conference in the pros.
Interestingly, how NorthPort acquired Manuel then also involved Anthony.
The franchise formerly known as GlobalPort acquired Manuel in a 2012 draft-day trade with Magnolia, then carrying the B-Meg brand, along with Val Acuña for Anthony.
Anthony, however, never got a taste of playing for the Purefoods franchise as he was quickly sent to Barako Bull along with Dave Marcelo for Aldrech Ramos.
Manuel only got to play with the Batang Pier during the 2013 Philippine Cup as he was quickly shipped to the Meralco Bolts and the Air21 Express for the rest of the season before finding a home with the Alaska Aces, where he would play for six years.
Phoenix, which quickly took Manuel after letting go of Calvin Abueva, hoped that Manuel would fill the absence of Abueva.
But the team, which made a breakthrough semifinal appearance last year, faltered in this year's Philippine Cup, losing to Ginebra in the eighth-place playoff and missing the quarterfinals.
On the other hand, Anthony's four-year stint with NorthPort came to an end but technically also made a homecoming as Phoenix took over the Barako Bull franchise in 2016.
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