Unknown to many, long before Titing Manalili turned the NCAA into his personal playground, he was doing a utility job just to watch basketball games in Cebu.
Manalili shared that he was once a waterboy in Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation (CESAFI) when he was around 11 years old, using it as a way to enter the arena and catch several rising players in the province play live.
"Naglalaro kasi ‘yung mga kuya doon, eh hindi ako makalaro kasi maliit pa ako no’n. So gusto kong makanood, kaso may pasok ako so hindi makapasok sa venue kasi nga hinahanapan ng ID," Manalili told GMA News Online on Wednesday.
"So ngayon, ang style namin, ako ‘yung nagdadala ng cart [ng tubig] para makapasok ako sa players’ entrance. And ayun, nag-waterboy ako kasi nga gusto ko talagang manood eh."
It was that moment that ignited Manalili’s passion for the game, laying the foundation for the standout point guard he has become today.
"Love na love ko ‘yung basketball. Para lang makapanood ako, ‘yun ‘yung ginagawa ko. Feel ko rin na naglalaro ako kasi katabi ko ‘yung mga players.
Fast forward to present, the 6-foot rookie guard has already emerged as the face of Colegio de San Juan de Letran with his high basketball IQ and unique game style.
Even he could not believe that his humble beginnings in Cebu would see him turn heads on the big stage.
"Nagbibigay ako ng tubig. Minsan nga, hindi ko rin akalain na umabot ako dito nu’ng lumabas ‘yung video na ‘yan," he added.
"Sabi ko, kumbaga may nakapansin pala sa ginawa ko dati. Thankful ako kay God. Kumbaga, everything is timing talaga kay God. Patience lang ako palagi."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
