MANILA – Negrense guard Jeffrey Manday of San Miguel Beermen gears up for his professional debut at the inaugural PBA 3×3 basketball tournament which kicks off this Nov. 20 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
According to the former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias star, he is glad that he can finally show his wares in the 3×3 competition after it was delayed several times due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
“After months of training, sobrang happy na matutuloy na,” Manday told Panay News. “I am very excited to play because I want to repay the trust ng San Miguel management sa akin.”
He added: “I am fine naman to start my PBA career sa 3×3 basketball. Exposure rin ito para sa akin since mas magagamit ako dito unlike sa 5-on-5. Alam naman natin na loaded ang SMB lineup.”
Manday, who won three NOPSSCEA championships and MVP awards with the Titans, signed to a short-term deal by the Beermen in July after picking him in the sixth round of the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft last March.
At the Beermen’s 3×3 team, the Bacolod City-native Manday will team up with Raymond Austria, James Mangahas and Louie Vigil. Ilonggo Boycie Zamar will serve as the head coach.
Manday further said he is using his stint with the Beermen’s 3×3 team as a motivation to be ready professionally in hopes of landing a spot in SMB’s 5-on-5 team in the coming seasons.
“I want to show the coaches ‘yung mga natutunan ko sa practices and hopefully to be part of the 5-on-5 team soon,” he said.
Manday, who also played briefly for the Marinerong Pilipino in the PBA Developmental League, credited the Titans, its team owners Ramon Paolo Cruz, Paul Oliver Cruz and backer Rigpoint, for having a role in his development as a player.
“Hindi ko naman mararating ang pangarap ko na ito without the help of Sir Ramon and Sr Paul, as well as the CSAV family. They molded my talent and character kaya na-achieve ko ‘yung dream ko to play in the PBA,” Manday said./PN
