Letran Knights guard Titing Manalili needs no introduction whenever he steps onto the court for NCAA games.
It’s why fans expect the flashy guard to put on a show and fill the box score—every single time. However, the sophomore admits it can be a challenge balancing the need to get his teammates involved and taking over a game.
Based on the way Manalili has started the NCAA Season 102 Men’s Basketball Tournament, it appears he is embracing that challenge. Two games in, Letran is 2‑0 after obliterating the San Sebastian Stags, 99‑62, on Friday, with the Cebuano guard getting everyone involved with 9 assists to go along with his 14 points.
Titing Manalili Now Well‑Scouted
As a rookie last season, Manalili surprised both fans and opponents with his pinpoint passing and flashy playmaking. Now in his second year in the league, the 6‑foot‑2 guard knows he’s a marked man, as Letran coach Allen Ricardo emphasized to him before the season.
“Siyempre unang‑una talaga, sabi sa akin ni Coach Allen lahat naka‑focus na [sa akin],” said Manalili after the San Sebastian game. “’Yung challenge is paano ko bigyan ‘yung mga teammates ko, paano ko sila makaka‑score, para at least next time maluwag‑luwag na sa akin.”
Aside from scoring 14 points and issuing 9 assists, the reigning NCAA Rookie of the Year also had 5 steals against San Sebastian while shooting a perfect 5‑of‑5 from the field. However, he also committed 8 turnovers—an area that Manalili admits he is still trying to work on.
“Siyempre papagalitan [ako ni coach] kumbaga tatawagin nga nun ‘Turnover nanaman, maliit na bagay,’” said the Cebuano guard. “So ‘yun, hindi naman big deal sa amin ni coach ‘yun, alam na naman na ni coach ‘yun. Kumbaga sabi niya lang na mag‑improve ako next time so ‘yun balikan ko sa taping ‘yung nangyari.”
Manalili and the rest of the Knights jump back to action on Sept. 24 when they take on the EAC Generals. With plenty of time to rest and recuperate, as well as to figure out his mistakes, expect Titing Manalili to play even better.
