JUST HOMESICK

After considering a return to UV, Jun Manzo decides he will remain with UP

Promising point guard Jun Manzo will be staying with the University of the Philippines after all.

With his mind clear after a moment of vulnerability stemming from homesickness, the former University of the Visayas standout shared to Cebu Daily News in an exclusive talk that he will completely honor his commitment to the school that recruited him last May.

It was on Monday that Manzo talked to UV team manager Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas and inquired about the possibility of a reunion, just months after leaving the team in the lurch as they prepared for the Cesafi’s preseason tournament — the Partner’s Cup. Gullas initially agreed to take back the 5-foot-9 spitfire guard but under the condition that he sit out a year as a consequence of his actions.

Manzo balked at the condition and clarified yesterday that the only reason why he inquired was because he got homesick.

“I’m actually doing fine here. I just miss Cebu, that’s all,” said Manzo, who had a breakout performance in the Cesafi finals last year against the University of San Carlos.

“I just miss Cebu. That’s all there is to it. UP has treated me really well, and I want to make sure I do right by them. I don’t have any problems here. I just got homesick. I guess that’s always the case when you’re starting anew in a different place,” Manzo explained.

Asked to explain why he didn’t want to sit out a year if he were to come back to the Green Lancers’ camp, Manzo was vague with his reasons but added that Cebu just has a special place in his heart, which is why he thinks often of it.

“Cebu is where I grew up and learned to be independent. I went through a lot of experiences in Cebu. And one more thing is if I were there, I would be near to my family. But it doesn’t matter since I’m staying in UP.”