A rookie playing on a big stage with even bigger stakes could easily crumble — but not Titing Manalili.
The star rookie delivered all-around numbers to lift Colegio de San Juan de Letran to a 77-73 win against University of Perpetual Help System DALTA in Game 1 of their best-of-three semifinals affair in NCAA Season 101.
The 21-year-old point guard turned in 15 points spiked with five rebounds, six steals and eight assists, highlighted by a no-look behind-the-back dish to Deo Cuajao late in the third, as the Knights averted a meltdown late to draw first blood.
Manalili punched in this statline despite being in an unfamiliar situation.
"Sa akin, first time ko nga [maglaro dito] so medyo may kaba kasi maraming tao tapos ‘yung venue malaki," Manalili said.
"So ayun, sabi ko lang sa sarili ko na ‘wag masyadong ma-pressure kasi isa ka sa mga nagdadala sa team. Nireremind ko ‘yung sarili ko na mag-relax."
(For me, it's my first time to play here so I had some nerves because there are a lot of people and the venue is huge... So there, I just told myself not to get too pressured because I'm one of those who need to carry the team. I reminded myself to relax.)
Manalili's composure proved crucial as the Knights denied the ALTAs a comeback act.
After leading by as many as 19 in the second quarter, the Knights saw themselves in the middle of a Perpetual storm led by Patrick Sleat and John Abis, who both pulled the ALTAs to within seven points in the third period, 57-50.
Sleat really meant business, knocking down a three-pointer while Abis converted a putback to make it just a four-point game, 72-68, in the last three minutes.
But Letran needed just one booming triple from Jimboy Estrada to dash Perpetual's hopes as the Knights sealed the win.
And while they almost squandered a huge lead, Manalili stressed they will take this win and move on to the next, where a seat in the finals is at stake.
"Sa performance ko naman syempre masaya ako kasi na-execute ko ‘yung pinageensayuhan namin and kumbaga, na-handle ko ‘yung team kahit na hindi man gano’ kalaki ‘yung lamang namin pero a win is a win," Manalili said.
"Move on kami and focus kami sa next."
(In terms of my perfromance, I'm happy because we were able to execute what we practiced and I was able to handle the team even if our lead wasn't that big. A win is a win.)
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—JMB, GMA Integrated News
