It’s final: Manzo to play for Fighting Maroons

THE contentious player transfer involving talented prospect Jun Manzo has finally found a conclusion as the former University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers star has finally settled on playing for the University of the Philippines (UP).

Ironically, it was UV team manager and Cebu First District Representative Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas that divulged the details of what he hopes would be the final chapter of this bizarre player transfer that has been routinely called here as “Manzo-novela.”

“I’m just glad this is all over. It’s final. Talked with lawyers representing UP yesterday after they requested for his TOR (transcript of records). (Jun) Manzo will be playing for UP after serving his one-year residency,” said Gullas on Saturday morning.

Also ironic is the fact that Gullas happens to be a co-author of the Student Athletes Protection Act which has helped paved the way for the spitfire guard to pick the Maroons camp over the Cebu-based school that has helped him build his reputation down south.

“I was a co-author of the Student Athletes Proctection Act, which empowered students such as Manzo to pick the schools they wanted to attend. That’s why from the very start, I told them I would release Manzo from the get go. That is why I was very surprised about two things.

“Why did UP have to send two lawyers to pick up the TOR through an authorization letter from Manzo? What I also don’t understand is since the ‘Manzo-novela’ started, why did the UP coach not show even a small sense of elementary courtesy and simply ask me to release his TOR, a fellow Bisaya at that. Why send lawyers? I have so much respect for UP, my classmates and former classmates in Congress from UP are smart, dedicated to their work and all around great individuals, that is why the move by the UP coach comes as a very big surprise to me,” said Gullas of UP head coach Bo Perasol whom he questioned several months ago about his team’s recruitment practices but never got any reply.

“I wish UP all the best this coming season. But I have one thing to point out. Things could have been done better and with more courtesy. “Manzo-novela” wouldn’t have started if UP coaches just treated us with respect and not just another probinsyano team.”

With Gullas already prepared to move on, he sent some unsolicited advice to his former ward who, after asking to be taken back by the Green Lancers last weekend, has yet to contact the former about his latest decision.

“Manzo has all the talent in the world. Talent can be taught and it can be enhanced. Attitude cannot be taught. I wish him luck.“