MANILA – Vic Manuel now has a new home as Alaska traded the embattled forward to Phoenix in a swap approved by the PBA trade committee on Tuesday.
In exchange, the Aces acquired Brian Heruela from the Fuel Masters.
Both teams swapped orders in the upcoming PBA Draft too.
Alaska moved up a rank in the first round of the regular draft in the Manuel trade as the team now has the sixth pick.
Interestingly enough, Phoenix got that pick from Magnolia last week in the Calvin Abueva trade.
Upon confirming that he wants out of the Aces, Manuel listed the Fuel Masters as one of his three preferred destinations in hopes of a reunion with good friend Abueva.
Although he is now with Phoenix, Manuel will still not be able to play alongside Abueva again.
Meanwhile, Alaska also got the second round pick that Phoenix acquired from NLEX in the Cyrus Baguio trade in 2017, which is slated at number 16 overall in the regular draft, as well as Phoenix's 2022 first round pick.
The Fuel Masters got the Aces' default first and second round picks, slated at numbers seven and 19, respectively.
Manuel demanded a trade after initial talks of a new contract with Alaska did not go on smoothly.
He also listed San Miguel and NLEX as potential trade destinations. (PNA)
