Written by Shelby Cherkas and Brooke Hanshaw
Introduction
When discussing Aragon basketball, the Manu name is almost impossible to avoid. Sam Manu coaches the girls varsity team, and his brother, Rex Manu is an assistant coach for the boys varsity team. Sam is both coach and dad to five kids: his eldest, Alex Manu, was the boys varsity team captain during the 2013-2014 season and is now studying at Cañada College. Aragon alumnus Rex Manu graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Kiernan Manu is a current Cal Poly student. Lydia Manu plays point guard for the girls varsity team, and Mabryn Manu looks forward to playing basketball at Aragon in the future. Rex’s son, Sammy Manu, moved from Taiwan over the summer and is point guard for the boys varsity team.
Lydia Manu: Girls Basketball
Last year, Lydia was the only freshman on the girls varsity basketball team, coached by her dad Sam Manu.
“It wasn’t too hard because the girls made it a super easy transition for me,” she said. “I don’t get as nervous because I know he’s there supporting me, and the girls are right behind me.”
While some may feel pressure having family involved in their athletics, Lydia said that the support of her relatives has been amazing for her.
“My siblings are all-around supportive,” Lydia said. “They always cheer for me and give me hugs after the game. Just having that emotional support is truly a blessing.”
Lydia is excited about potentially playing with her younger sister, Mabryn, on Aragon’s volleyball or basketball teams in two years.
“If I get to play with Mabryn, it would be loads of fun,” Lydia said. “Younger siblings are always looking out [and] looking up to the older siblings.”
Though she looks forward to playing with Mabryn in the future, Lydia stays focused on the present.
“My dream for right now is to take these girls and win a Central Coast Section championship,” she said.
Sammy Manu: Boys Basketball
Junior Sammy Manu has lived in Taiwan for most of his life, but every summer, he would come and visit his family in the United States. Starting in eighth grade, Sammy began his participation with Aragon basketball, playing in the Aragon summer league.
“It was really fun,” Sammy said. “I met new people, and most of my cousins go here.”
This past summer, Sammy moved to San Mateo with his dad, Rex, who is an assistant coach for the boys basketball team. However, having his father as his coach is not unusual for Sammy, as Rex was also his coach in Taiwan.
“We’ve always made fun of him for being the typical shy … little kid,” said Mabryn, Sammy’s younger cousin. “[We joke that] he used to be the shortest and skinniest person in the world.”
Despite this, Sammy is ultimately seen as a role model.
“Whenever I see Sammy, a huge smile spreads across my face,” Lydia said. “He’s another player I look up to a lot.”
Sam Manu: Head Coach
Sam Manu played on Aragon’s boys varsity basketball team in the early ‘80s and graduated from Aragon in 1983. He went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and continued playing basketball while working on a degree in computer science.
He returned to coach basketball at Aragon in 2011, and is the current head coach for the girls basketball team. Lydia, his daughter, plays on the team.
“My dad is super funny,” Lydia said. “One time, this girl on our team hurt herself. She was being super dramatic and my dad was like, ‘Everyone come here. Huddle in. Everyone, just take a knee.’ We all took a knee right there and burst out laughing while this girl was sitting there holding her ankle.”
Sam has been coaching his daughter since she began playing basketball in fourth grade.
“Since my dad is the coach, he often uses me as an example,” she said. “Whenever I do something wrong, he points it out in practice and corrects it right there in order to get it out to the other girls. But I know my dad’s heart, and I know he’s just trying to get everyone better.”
Rex Manu: Assistant Coach
Though he recently lived in Taiwan, Rex Manu grew up in San Mateo and attended Aragon just like his son, Sammy. Rex is also a former teacher, and is currently an assistant coach for the boys basketball team.
“Just like any other families that gather around for their favorite things, so do we, and ours is basketball,” Rex said. “We love going and playing and being involved, and it’s just part of our family culture.”
Rex considers himself lucky to have had jobs that allow him to be constantly surrounded by family.
“It is the greatest blessing ever to be at work and have your kids there,” Rex said. “I don’t know what better job to have when your kids are young than to be a teacher or a coach. I love it.”
Moving back to the Bay Area last summer to be closer to his family, Rex stressed the importance of the Aragon community and the role it has played for generations of his family — especially for his son.
“Whatever challenges [Sammy is presented with, he] has gotten through them easily because he loves being here and he was always looking forward to it,” Rex said. “I love the Aragon community, and that’s definitely one of the reasons why we’re back, for Sam to experience what I got to experience.”
Conclusion
“I think that everything I’ve done is because I’ve had some inspiration from my family, Mabryn said. “Whether it’s drama, sports or education, I get a lot of support from them and a lot of inspiration to just keep going.”
The Manu family has built a legacy at Aragon through their strength in numbers, their familiar name and, of course, their basketball success.
