The NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament marks the final playing year of Letran Knights big man Kevin Santos. And both he and coach Allen Ricardo expect it to be fruitful—thanks in large part to the presence of point guard Titing Manalili, who has brought out the best in him.
After the Knights routed the EAC Generals on Thursday, Ricardo praised Manalili’s impact, noting how the sophomore guard has helped the 6‑foot‑6 Santos by consistently setting him up for easier buckets in the paint. It is an assessment Santos himself agrees with.
“Dati kayod kalabaw… Ngayon nabuhay laro ko,” he said.
Kevin Santos Shows Out Against EAC
Santos made his Letran debut back in Season 98, initially logging only a few minutes before gradually carving out a meaningful role in the rotation. Against the Generals, he underscored his importance once again, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.
“Naniniwala naman ako dun,” Santos said of Ricardo’s assessment. “Kasi noong bago‑bago pa ‘yung Season 100, walang gaanong point guard. Parang kayod kalabaw lang talaga, walang pumapasa sa akin. Ngayon nung dumating ‘yan si Titing, ayun nabuhay ‘yung laro ko. Mas lalong nag‑improve pa at ginanahan.”
Manalili’s playmaking was on full display against EAC, as he dished out 14 assists, several of which directly led to Santos’s easy finishes inside.
Creating an Impact for Letran
Through the first three games of the season, Santos is averaging 10.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 1.0 steal, and 2.0 blocks. Manalili, the reigning NCAA Rookie of the Year, is putting up 11 points, 10.3 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.3 steals per game.
In Manalili’s first year, the Knights finished as runners‑up in Season 101. This year, expectations are high that Letran will reclaim the throne—and the tandem of Kevin Santos and Titing Manalili is expected to lead the way.
