Titing Manalili may have caught the attention of basketball fans with his talent — capped by being named the top rookie of NCAA Season 101 — but the Colegio de San Juan de Letran star guard said he is staying with the Knights.
After falling to rival San Beda University in the finals, Manalili reaffirmed his commitment to Letran as the Knights look to redeem themselves next season in true Letranista fashion.
“Ngayon talagang gusto kong mag-stay. Kita n’yo naman talagang bumabalik-balik ako [sa court]. Sabi ko nga, patay na kung patay,” Manalili said on Saturday.
“Sabi ko sa sarili ko, wala akong regrets. Kita naman, talo na, pinulikat na ako, halos buong katawan na. Pero wala, lumaban ako kasi dugong Letranista.”
Manalili has been a Letranite for some time, having also been part of the Squires teams that won the juniors basketball championships in NCAA Seasons 98 and 99.
Now having experienced both levels of competition, Manalili said he wants to help future recruits transition from high school basketball, especially with the Squires reclaiming the juniors crown this season.
“Masaya ako para sa juniors team. Akala ko nga mananalo rin kami sa seniors. Akala ko magdo-double champion kami, pero wala eh. Hindi gano’n ang nangyari. Pero sobrang saya ko para sa kanila at sobrang proud,” Manalili said.
The 21-year-old also admitted that not even his championship run in high school could have prepared him for the intensity of the collegiate level.
“Kailangan ko silang pagsabihan kung sino man ang aangat papunta sa seniors team. Kasi iba talaga ang college kumpara sa juniors tournament,” Manalili said.
“Iba ang level ng mga kalaban ko this time. Malalakas, malalaki ang katawan, at mas experienced din sila. ‘Yung San Beda, marami silang champion players. Pero at least na-experience namin ito. Kaya alam naming babawi kami,” he added.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
