Newlyweds Manny Victorino and his wife Rachelle during their wedding in Arizona
ARIZONA, USA — Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) player Manny Victorino is embracing a new chapter in life after marrying his wife Rachelle on March 7, marking a milestone beyond his years on the basketball court.
Victorino, a former PBA player known for his years in the league, now resides in Arizona after spending more than a decade in the United States following his retirement from professional basketball. During his time in the PBA, Victorino built a reputation as one of the notable big men of his era and competed against many of the league’s top players.
After stepping away from the sport, Victorino said he spent about five years running a business in the Philippines before deciding to migrate to the United States.
“Pagkatapos kong maglaro ng basketball at mag-retire sa PBA, nagdesisyon akong magnegosyo. Sa loob ng limang taon, naging maayos naman ang negosyo ko. Pagkatapos noon, nagpasya akong mag-migrate sa United States. Ngayon, nandito na ako sa Amerika. Pagkatapos ng mahigit labing-isang taon, pabalik-balik na rin ako sa Pilipinas, at ngayon ay may buhay na rin ako dito sa Arizona,” Victorino said.
Manny Victorino exchanges vows with his wife Rachelle during their wedding ceremony
Victorino said marriage came later in life, but at what he believes was the right time.
“Minsan sa buhay, naiisip mo kung kailan darating ang tunay na pagmamahal. Maraming dumaan sa buhay ko at marami ring karanasan, pero napagtanto ko na ang dapat masunod ay ang kalooban ng Panginoon, hindi ang kagustuhan lamang ng tao. Si Lord ang magbibigay sa iyo ng tunay na pagmamahal,” he said.
He added that he felt a sense of peace when he realized he had found the person he wanted to spend his life with.
“Masasabi ko dahil may kakaiba akong nararamdaman. May kapayapaan akong naramdaman at nakita ko na siya na ang magiging kasama ko sa buhay. Ang pinakamahalaga, ang taong tunay na nagmamahal sa iyo ay mapagkakatiwalaan mo,” he said.
As he begins married life, Victorino emphasized the importance of faith in building a strong relationship.
“Importante na sa pagsasama ng mag-asawa, si Lord ang nasa gitna ng inyong relasyon. Kapag si Lord ang gumagabay sa inyo, magiging maayos ang inyong buhay at ang lahat ng inyong gagawin. Kailangan nating ibigay sa kanya ang ating isip, puso, at kaluluwa para maging maayos ang lahat,” he said.
Manny Victorino and his wife Rachelle during their wedding reception
Even after his playing days in the PBA, Victorino said basketball may still remain part of his life through future community games.
“Actually, dito sa Arizona may plano sina Alvin at Alan, kasama ang iba pang basketball legends, na magkaroon ng mga laro dito. Hinihintay na lang natin kung kailan ito matutuloy,” he said.
Victorino also expressed gratitude to supporters who followed his career throughout the years.
“Sa lahat ng fans ko mula noong naglalaro pa ako sa PBA hanggang ngayon, maraming maraming salamat sa inyong suporta. Kung hindi dahil sa inyo, hindi rin lalabas ang galing ko sa paglalaro. Maraming salamat sa patuloy ninyong pagsuporta, at may God bless you all,” he said.
His wife Rachelle said Victorino’s faith and character were among the qualities that stood out to her.
“Manny has a very good heart and he is very God-centered. Sa lahat ng mga lalaking nakilala ko, siya ang pinaka-God-centered. Matagal ko nang hinihiling na magkaroon ng partner na makakasama ko sa church at sa pagdarasal, at si Manny iyon,” she said.
From his years on the basketball court to married life in Arizona, Victorino now looks forward to a future centered on faith, family, and the next chapter beyond the game.