VIC MANUEL, KYT JIMENEZ REUNITE IN ZAMBOANGA MEET WITH VALIENTES

VIC Manuel and Kyt Jimenez were reunited with the Zamboanga Valientes in the 3rd Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament which kicked off Monday night at the Cultural & Sports Center, Ipil Zamboanga Sibugay.

The two former San Miguel Beermen did good enough to help the Valientes turn back the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 95-91 in the opener of the pocket meet that also featured the De La Salle Green Archers, Letran Knights, and Basilan Starhorse.

Manuel finished with 11 points, while Jimenez had six while orchestrating the Zamboanga backcourt along with Mike Tolomia and Forthsky Padrigao.

Both Manuel and Jimenez were part of the San Miguel unit that last won the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a year ago.

For the 37-year-old Manuel, it marked the first time he suited up for another team since his decision not to renew with Terrafirma, which acquired his services along with Terrence Romeo following a trade with San Miguel in exchange for the duo of Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig.

Jimenez meanwhile, opted to forego the remaining months of his contract with the Beermen and signed with the Valientes in the just concluded 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship.

Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro added Manuel and veteran PBA player JR Quinahan to the team roster it had in Dubai led by imports Sam Deguara and Malik Diouf.

Deguara finished with a game-high 20 points as he proved unstoppable underneath, at one point even breaking the rim in the second quarter following a thunderous dunk that cost a mid-game delay to repair it.

Tolomia added 15, Diouf with 12, Claude Camit had 11 and Prince Caperal and Padrigao with five each.

The Valientes will next take on De La Salle followed by Letran and Starhorse.

2025-02-17T16:10:44Z