Letran’s Titing Manalili (right) and head coach Allen Ricardo (left). Photo from FilOil Preseason Cup Media Team.MANILA — Colegio de San Juan de Letran continues to impress in the 18th FilOil Preseason Cup.
The Knights moved up to No.1 in the NCAA bracket after they handed De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde their first setback of the tournament via a 68-58 result on Saturday, and heading the charge for Muralla boys was rookie Titing Manalili.
READ: From Cebu to Intramuros: How Letran’s Titing Manalili made a name for himself in the NCAA
The 6-foot-1 Cebuano guard posted a game-high 18 points with four assists as they improved to 5-1, and Letran head coach Allen Ricardo hailed his long-time playmaker for coming to play despite the game coming in a preseason setting.
“Lagi kong nire-remind sa kanya na just play your game no matter what,” said the Letran high school champion mentor. “What you’re doing right now is an investment going into the future. Mahirap kasi na yung attitude mo is you’re always trying to gauge, na medyo ‘di muna ako totodo kasi malayo pa yung season.”
“We don’t believe in that kasi we’re one step closer to the pros, so kailangan dito pa lang, napa-practice mo na yung right habits,” he added.
Coming into their much-anticipated matchup with the Season 100 Finalists, Manalili was already delivering the goods for the Intramuros-based squad.
He was scoring 10.0 markers, dishing out 7.6 dimes, and grabbing a rebound for Letran, but Manalili was far from being happy with his numbers.
“Okay naman na nananalo kami, pero ‘di pa ako satisfied sa laro ko. Four assists lang ako, ‘di yun yung para sa akin, so nakulangan ako,” he said.
While Manalili has already tasted FilOil action for Letran in 2024, the former Squires star did not actually see NCAA seniors’ action in the same year due to injuries and academic issues.
This eventually resulted in Letran losing steam in Season 100 as the Knights failed to make the Final 4 despite their impressive Round 1 record of 6-3.
And with the series of setbacks that he and his squad were dealt with last year Manalili is now more than eager to help his squad return to the postseason and finally make a splash in the collegiate level.
“Mas focused ako at sa kung paano ako magiging playmaker,” he emphasized.
For Ricardo, it’s now a matter of Manalili staying patient with the process anew, a mentality that has helped them previously win two championships in the juniors’ ranks.
“Sa tagal na naming magkasama, walang naging perfect sa pagsasama namin, pero it’s more of iniintindi ko rin kung ano yung kaya niyang ibigay,” said Ricardo. Tapos siya, nagiging patient din siya sa kung anong gusto konng mangyari.”
RELATED VIDEO: