Vic Manuel’s Converge chapter closes quickly, but doors open elsewhere

Vic Manuel’s time with Converge may have been short, but it was enough to stir conversations far beyond the FiberXers’ locker room.

After his month-long contract expired on Monday, the veteran forward officially parted ways with Converge, closing a brief chapter that came late in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations. 

Manuel will not be renewing his deal and is instead set to suit up for the Zamboanga Valientes, who are bound for the Dubai Invitational Basketball Championship later this month in the United Arab Emirates.

Despite the limited run, Manuel made sure to acknowledge the opportunity given to him by the franchise. In a social media post, he expressed appreciation to the team that brought him in during a crucial stretch of the season.

“Thank you Converge. Short term, but it means a lot to me,” Manuel wrote on Facebook.
“Good luck fam. See you around.”

The farewell, however, quickly turned into speculation. Fans flooded the comment section with suggestions for where the 38-year-old big man could land next once his overseas stint wraps up. Two destinations stood out: Barangay Ginebra and Titan Ultra.

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That’s a victorious return for Vic Manuel in the PBA as Converge stepped on the gas in overtime to beat NLEX #PBA50 pic.twitter.com/nwTUlTfgoQ

— SPIN.ph (@spinph) December 17, 2025

Supporters of Titan Ultra see a natural fit, pointing to Manuel’s potential reunion with close friend and team star Calvin Abueva. Others, particularly Ginebra fans, believe the “Muscle Man” still has enough left to be a reliable interior presence—one who could complement the Kings’ veteran frontline of Japeth Aguilar and Troy Rosario.

There’s history behind that idea. Manuel previously played under Ginebra head coach Tim Cone during Gilas Pilipinas’ successful gold-medal run in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, a campaign that showcased his willingness to embrace a defined role within a disciplined system.

Adding another layer to the discussion is recent memory. It was Ginebra that ended Converge’s All-Filipino Cup run, eliminating the FiberXers in the quarterfinals, capped by a dramatic do-or-die overtime win, 99-98. Manuel was part of that short-lived Converge squad that came up just short of a semifinals berth.

Statistically, his impact with the FiberXers was modest—averaging 4.0 points and 1.6 rebounds across three games—but the conversation surrounding his future suggests his value isn’t measured purely by numbers.

For now, Manuel’s focus shifts to Dubai and an international stage. Beyond that, his swift exit from Converge has only reinforced one thing: even brief stints can reopen long-standing debates about where a seasoned veteran still belongs in the PBA landscape.

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