Romwel Anzures

Gilas Pilipinas forward Cedrick Manzano (right) in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Photo courtesy of POC Media Pool.

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<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176623597992591e6f5e5-02cb-413a-b539-b0a03dab46b5.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner">Gilas Pilipinas forward Cedrick Manzano (right) in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. <em>Photo courtesy of POC Media Pool.</em></span></span></span>Cedrick Manzano was beginning to focus on his post-UAAP journey after his collegiate career ended nearly a month ago. Fast forward to the present, and he is now a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist with Gilas Pilipinas.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">“Hindi ko ma-explain, sobrang saya. ‘Di ko alam yung magiging reaction ko,” said the former Adamson University star, who tallied four points and four rebounds as Gilas rallied past Thailand, 70–64, in the final of the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok on Friday.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Ito yung first SEA Games ko. Ito yung first time ko. Simula college, hindi ako nakakuha ng ganito, so sobrang saya lang na binigyan ako ng opportunity,” he added.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/19/gilas-men-rule-sea-games-hoops-with-comeback-win-vs-thailand-2212">READ: Gilas Men rule SEA Games hoops with comeback win vs. Thailand</a></div><p style="line-height:1.5">Despite cementing himself as one of the country’s most promising young big men during his five-year stint with the Soaring Falcons, Manzano admitted that a Gilas call-up was not on his radar.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“’Di ko in-expect na ako yung tatawagin. Galing pa ako sa ibang lugar, sa Abra, nasa panalay ako, pero nung tinawagan ako, ginrab ko agad yung opportunity,” he said.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">That same approach showed during the gold-medal match, as when Gilas veteran JP Erram exited early after fouling out, Manzano made sure not to waste the chance given to him by head coach Norman Black.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Iniisip ko lang talaga kung paano sila ma-stop, kasi ilang minutes lang yun, so all-out talaga ako,” he shared. “In-overcome ko lang yung challenge.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">What comes next for Manzano remains uncertain, but he now carries SEA Games experience that could further elevate his game as he prepares for the professional ranks.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Alam ko naman yung gagawin ko, pero ganito pala yung feeling sa international,” said the 6-foot-5 forward.<strong></strong><br/></p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong><br/><br/> <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1aNmy3ayqGE?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></div>

<p>#SEAGames2025 || “’Di ko in-expect na ako yung tatawagin. Galing pa ako sa ibang lugar, sa Abra, nasa panalay ako, pero nung tinawagan ako, ginrab ko agad yung opportunity,” said Manzano.</p>

#SEAGames2025 || “’Di ko in-expect na ako yung tatawagin. Galing pa ako sa ibang lugar, sa Abra, nasa panalay ako, pero nung tinawagan ako, ginrab ko agad yung opportunity,” said Manzano.

‘Ganto pala yung feeling makakuha ng gold,’ says Manzano after first SEAG stint

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‘Ganto pala yung feeling makakuha ng gold,’ says Manzano after first SEAG stint

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 21, 2025 02:00 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

ABSSports

33rd Southeast Asian Games

SEA Games

Gilas Pilipinas

Norman Black

2025 SEA Games

UAAP

Adamson Soaring Falcons

Cedrick Manzano

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