By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negrense guard Jeffrey Manday of San Miguel Beermen (SMB) is excited to showcase his talent in the inaugural PBA 3×3 basketball tournament which kicks off this November 20 at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The former Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias (CSAV) standout is delighted with his upcoming PBA debut via the 3×3 competition, which was delayed several times due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic situation.
“‘Yung ilang buwan kong pinaghandaan, maipapakita ko na din,” Manday told Watchmen Daily Journal. “Very excited ako na makalaro dahil gusto ko suklian ‘yung tiwala sa akin ng San Miguel management.”
“For me, magandang exposure na rin na dito muna ako sa PBA 3×3. Kapag nakita ko ‘yung ability ko dito, baka mabigyan ako ng opportunity na ma-lineup sa 5-on-5 soon,” he added.
Manday, who won three NOPSSCEA championships and MVP awards with the Titans, was signed to a short-term deal by the Beermen last 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, 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 sir 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./ASC, WDJ