The super rookie of the Colegio de San Juan de Letrán, Jonathan “Titing” Manalili, told the media in his last postgame interview that his biggest learning in his first year in the NCAA seniors division is not to be relaxed after reaching finals last December 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, City.
No Regrets in the End
Highlighted by the “writing our own story, our own history” phrase of his Head Coach Allen Ricardo after winning Game 1 of the semifinals last December 2, Titing once again used this mantra for him to have another stellar game as they eliminated the #1 team in Group A, University of Perpetual Help System DALTA.
“Biggest learning ko is huwag mag relax. Kase yun nga sabi ni Coach Allen hindi na natin to mababalik, tong araw na to, kumbaga hindi na natin alam kung kailan tayo mag Finals ulit so kung ano man ang kinalabasan, at least ginawa natin yung best. Wala tayong regrets sa huli.”
Titing was phenomenal in sweeping the series against the Altas, in game 2, he finished with 16 points, 14 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal.
Have that FIRE in them this Finals
Soon to be playing in his first ever Finals series as part of the seniors team in Letrán come next week, December 10, the former Letrán Squires champion wanted to have that burning fire from his teammates, including himself, once they play in the last stage of the NCAA Season 101.
“Siguro fire lang kase nga Finals is different kumbaga, yung nasa venue, kumbaga different na siya. Maraming tao, big production na, lalo na tawagan ng referee makakapal na yan.”
The only player from the Knights who isn’t new in the Finals stage is Kevin Santos, as he was part of the 2022 championship of Letrán back in Season 97.
“Sa team, mag lagay kami ng fire, good start kami kase nga wala, wala ng sasayangin na oras dito kase nga Finals na.”
Game 1 of the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball finals would be on December 10, Wednesday while Game 2 would be on December 13, Saturday, with both games being played at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
