Alaska's big men are having a tough time filling the shoes of Vic Manuel, according Jake Pascual.
Pascual and the rest of the Aces have been forced to do heavy lifting after Manuel has been ruled out for the rest of the conference due to back injury.
But that doesn't mean Pascual and company can't fill the shoes of Mr. Quality Minutes.
"We take it as a challenge," Pascual said after Alaska's 94-72 win over the Columbian Dyip at the Mall of Asia Arena last Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup.
"Aminado naman natin na si Vic Manuel ang No. 1 option namin sa ilalim, tapos may outside shooting pa. Ayun, tulungan lang kami, yun lang sinasabi ni coach (Alex Compton) sa amin, kung sino nasa tabi niyo sa bench, yun lang titignan niyo na makakatulong sa inyo."
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The former San Beda cager proved he is up to the challenge by 13 points and a career-high 13 rebounds to help the Aces bounce back from Sunday's 85-72 defeat to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Carl Bryan Cruz also stepped up with 20 points while veterans Sonny Thoss and Nonoy Baclao combined for 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
"Kailangan ngayon patunayan namin na may ibubuga kami at saka may maitutulong kami sa team. Ganoon naman ang sistema namin sa Alaska, kung baga tulungan kami para makuha yung panalo," he said. (JT)
