Manu going pro

Having known the Manu extended family for years, Patton knew he what was coming his way.

“[Manu’s arrival] probably made it the two easiest years of my coaching career,” Patton said. “He was a difference maker. He was one of the better players I’ve had come through the program since I’ve been coaching.”

After stops at City College of San Francisco and College of San Mateo, and wrapping up his collegiate career with two seasons at UC Davis, Manu will continue playing. Last month, he was No. 1 overall draft pick by the Taipei Taishin Mars in the Taiwan Professional Basketball League.

“That’s pretty incredible,” Patton said.

Taipei Taishin Mars is entering its second season as an organization, as its parent company took over from a previous organization in 2023. It went 14-23 during the 2023-24 season.

Patton said Manu would spend parts of the summer in San Mateo while still living in Taiwan and would play in open gyms and summer sessions with the Dons. His play left those he was playing with in awe.

“He’d show up in the summer and kids were like, ‘Who is this guy? Is he coming here?’” Patton said.

A 6-7 guard when he got to Aragon, Manu, then a junior, helped lead the Dons to the 2018 Central Coast Section Division II championship game, falling to Valley Christian.

His senior year, Manu was one of the Peninsula Athletic League’s leading scorers during 2018-19 season. He had 20 points against Burlingame in the Lions Club Tournament and later scored posted a 27-point, 10-rebound performance against the Panther during the regular season. He had 26 points in a win over Woodside and he helped Aragon gets its revenge against Valley Christian in the quarterfinals of the 2019 CCS quarterfinals, scoring 20 in a 72-68 win.

But Manu saved his best for last, going off for 38 points in an 80-75, double-overtime loss to Mountain View in the Division II semifinals that ended his high school career.

And he wept.

“He apologized to the team. Said he wished he could have done more. He did everything he could. … He didn’t have a selfish bone in his body,” Patton said. “He did it all. A 6-7 guard. To have somebody with his skill set, with his ability, he really posed some challenges (for the opposition).”

Patton said Manu’s goal was play at the Division I level collegiately and after not getting any Division I offers coming out of Aragon, he decided to start his college career at City College of San Francisco.

“The game we beat Valley (the 2019 CCS playoffs), they (the City coaching staff) were there looking at another guy. (Manu) got on their radar at the last second,” Patton said.

Manu didn’t see much playing time with the state-power Rams, however, appearing in 26 games, averaging six points.

But more importantly, he was honing his game against high-level players.

“He was playing with Division I players that whole season in practice,” Patton said.

Manu transferred to CSM for his sophomore year in the 2021-22 season and averaged 15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals to help the Bulldogs to a 20-win season and the playoffs, which earned him a scholarship to UC Davis.

Like his time in San Francisco, Manu didn’t get a lot of playing time at Davis, averaging 6.5 points for his two years with the Aggies.

But that didn’t stop him from being drafted by the Taipei team. Patton believes it wasn’t just skill with a basketball that got him drafted. He believes Manu’s work ethic and humbleness also worked in his favor.

“I can only think of one other guy who worked as hard. And that was his cousin, Alex (Manu, who helped Aragon to the 2014 CCS title). Those two had the biggest work ethics I’ve seen. They were putting in the unseen hours,” Patton said. “I know the family. I know what they teach and what they stand for. It’s about being humble. It’s playing the game. It’s about the team. Working hard. Working smart.

“For him to be playing professionally is definitely no surprise.”

Manu is just the latest of a number of Peninsula players who have found basketball success playing overseas. Simon Enciso, a 2009 graduate of Terra Nova, has spent the last 10 years playing professionally in the Philippines, winning two national titles. Justin Gutang, who graduated from Burlingame in 2015, started his professional career also in the Philippines and is currently playing in South Korea. Mario Flaherty, a 2006 Mills alum, played in the British Basketball League.

All three spent time at Skyline College, as well.

Frankie Ferrari, a 2014 Burlingame graduate, played his college ball at University of San Francisco, before moving to play in Spain, Germany and Poland. He also spent time playing in the NBA Summer League and played for the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G League.

He is currently an assistant coach at USF.

And then there is current Mitty head coach Tim Kennedy, who played four seasons at Serra, graduating in 1995. He went on to Loyola Marymount and played in Europe for several years, as well.

“People don’t think of that (playing overseas) as professional, but that is a career you can do to take care of your family,” Patton said. “Doing what they love. I don’t think you can put a price on that.”