Unknown Maroon wins season's most improved player honors

MANILA, Philippines - The enhanced savvy outside touch of Jett Manuel had given the University of the Philippines (UP) a big boost in its campaign in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).  And for that, he was given the Most Improved Player award last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

At 6-foot-1, Manuel is very happy he played the No. 2 spot (shooting guard) position for the UP Fighting Maroons.  This season, he averaged 10.5 points – a far-cry from his 0.5 ppg in two games the previous year – to go with 4 rebounds and 2 assists.

Thrice in the season, the UP engineering student topscored for UP with 21 points against the NU Bulldogs, 8 vs the Blue Eagles) and 20 vs the Tamaraws. 

More importantly, he gave State U the scoring sock it lacked in the previous years.

“It is my first career award so it means a lot to me.  I’m very ecstatic and honored with the recognition.  I will use this as an inspiration to develop further my game,” said Manuel, whose dad Pong and mom Lia, both avid golfers, are really proud of his achievement.

One of the first things he did when he learned of the award was he called coach Ricky Dandan.  Dandan congratulated him for his feat but strongly reminded him to “stay humble” and never be a “swell-head.”

“Coach Ricky was instrumental in bringing out my potential this year.  He said that for the 75th season, there are bigger goals to accomplish,” added Manuel, who started basketball in his sixth grade.

And to help the lanky Manuel reach the targets, he said he’ll continue to hone his shooting skills to achieve consistency and beef-up upper-body strength so he could bang bodies with bigger opponents.