Just when “Manzo-novela” seemed like it finally found a happy ending after talented guard Jun Manzo announced that he was returning to the University of the Visayas (UV), things are set to take a tricky turn after it was revealed that he and fellow transferee Leonard Santillan have already signed contracts with the University of the Philippines.
UV team manager and Cebu First District Representative, Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas, confirmed to Cebu Daily News that the spitfire guard has indeed decided to come back to the Green Lancer camp, just months after spurring the school for the Fighting Maroons of the UAAP.
“Things just really fell into place. He texted me yesterday (Saturday) and he even played for my team last night,” shared Gullas in a conversation yesterday morning. However, Manzo’s return came with a price, as he will have to sit out an entire year before he can suit up again for the Green Lancers as a result of his actions last summer.
However, things are expected to get hairy after UP Fighting Maroons assistant team manager Mel Macasaquit divulged to CDN that both Manzo and Santillan have already signed contracts to play for the Maroons for the remainder of their collegiate careers.
Not long after moving to UP, Santillan has since transferred to La Salle.
“Both Jun Manzo and Leonard Santillan have signed contracts with the UP Maroons. We are aware of Santillan’s transfer to La Salle. There might be some issues since he has an existing contract with our team. With regards to Manzo, he asked for a plane ticket to Cebu last week to get his release papers from UV,” said Macasaquit.
“Last Tuesday, he asked us to rebook his flight back to Manila to give him more time to process his release papers. He eventually missed his flight last Friday. We will be discussing this with Boss Dan (Palami, UP Maroons team manager),” added the affable Maroons official.
Pressed about what these contracts stipulated, Macasaquit went mum but did add that “those contracts are good until they graduate.”
Paul Desiderio, the former UV Baby Lancer standout who has since carved out a name for himself with the Maroons, said that he too was left in the dark regarding Manzo’s decision.
“They’re (management) the ones who are in constant contact with Jun (Manzo) since we’re already busy preparing for the UAAP. That’s why I really have no idea Jun has gone back to UV already,” said the proud son of Liloan.
Still, in spite of the development, Desiderio expressed his support for his former mates’ decisions. “That’s their decisions. I have no problem with that. If they need me, I’m here,” said the former Cesafi juniors MVP.
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