Letran Squires’ Jonathan Manalili. Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.MANILA — The Letran Squires have won their second straight NCAA Juniors’ basketball title after they defeated the Perpetual Altas in Game 3 of the Finals on Saturday.

READ: Letran outlasts Perpetual to retain juniors basketball crown

The Muralla hoopers, who endured a heartbreaker in Game 2, emerged victorious over their Las Piñas counterparts as the Squires fended off any run that Perpetual attempted to produce in the series clincher.

Pivotal in the triumph was Letran young star and outgoing high school senior Jonathan ‘Titing’ Manalili, with the 6-foot-1 guard emerging as the Finals MVP after he normed 22.0 points, 7.7 assists, five rebounds, and 3.7 steals in the three-game series.

“Sobrang saya. Pinangarap ko ‘to dati pa,” said Manalili, who had 19 points, six steals, and five assists in the victory, while also sharing how this was a dream come true for him personally.

“Bago kami mag champion, gusto ko talaga na yung buong mga taon ko sa NCAA high school eh mag champion. Ayun, natupad naman. Thankful ako kay Lord, hindi Niya ako pinabayaan,” added Titing, who inherited this nickname from his father. 

The Cebu native recalled that while they just won their second straight title, it was not without setbacks.

Letran’s Jonathan Manalili. Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.The Squires entered the year without former Letran High star Andy Gemao who opted to transfer to the US in hopes of getting an NCAA offer, and this was the biggest void that Manalili and his team had to fill in Season 99.

“Unang una, hindi ganun ka-dali. ‘Di ko pa naman napatunayan sa sarili ko na leader ako,” said Manalili, who previously served as a secondary ball handler in Season 98 alongside Gemao.

Head coach Allen Ricardo also mirrored this statement, saying that being a leader both on and off the court was one of the things that Titing had to slowly morph into as the season progressed.

“Ang bigat ng responsibility, kasi hindi naman siya sanay sa pagiging leader eh,” the back-to-back Juniors’ Coach of the Year told ABS-CBN News in a separate interview. 

“Little by little, I encouraged him and I supported him kung paano mag lead sa team. Tinrabaho niya yun lahat.”

But before he even transformed into the court general of the Intramuros-based team and turned into one of the country’s top high school players of today, he was just spending his time playing in various tournaments in Cebu. 

“Bali meron akong political event na may basketball tournament, ako yung director nun sa buong bansa. Then from there, pumunta ako sa Cebu, may Under-21 game nun, then doon ko siya na-discover,” revealed coach Allen of Manalili, who made his Letran debut in early 2023. 

“Nakita ko siya doon. Akala ko nga 21 na siya eh kasi nga angat eh. Pero nung nalaman kong high school pa lang siya, ‘di na ko nag dalawang isip kunin siya. Then ayun, pinuntahan ko na yung tatay niya.”

“Tinanong ko kung ipagkakatiwala niya ba sa’kin yung anak niya sa Letran, kaya I’m thankful to coach Ting [Manalili] and their family na binigay nila sa’kin si Jonathan.”

“Thankful din ako kay Jonathan na nag-commit siya sa Letran,” the incoming interim head coach of the Knights continued. 

The mutual trust and the bond between Manalili and Ricardo produced wonders for each of their young careers, as coach Allen currently holds a 19-4 overall record in his two seasons as a head coach, while Titing averaged 16.1 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 steals throughout this year. 

The guidance of some Letran legends also contributed to Manalili's growth this season.

Former Letran star Kevin Alas. Photo from Letran Squires. 

“Nakikinig lang ako sa mga pumupunta samin na mga players, mga coaches, and ayun, tinatak ko sa isip ko para ma share ko din sa teammates ko,” he explained, talking about the visits of Kevin Alas, Mark Cruz, Jerrick Balanza, Bong Quinto, Willie Miller, Kerby Raymundo, and other former Letran stars.

This not only resulted in eventual glory with Letran High, but it also earned him a spot in the 2024 NBTC Top 24 Under-19 players in the Philippines.

“Ewan ko kung paano ko masabi 'yun eh. Sa tingin ko, hindi ako nabibilang dun. Gusto ko lang naman mapasaya yung teammates ko, gusto ko pasa pasa lang, and ayun, nagulat ako na andon ako sa ranking,” said Manalili, who was ranked as the sixth-best high school player in the country.

“Thankful ako kay Lord, at siguro, siya yung gumawa nun para sa’kin.”

But now that his high school basketball career has reached its end, Manalili said that his next priority will be his education.

“Siguro, mag aaral muna ako. ‘Di pa sure kung ga-graduate ako ngayon eh. Napabayaan ko yung pagaaral ko dahil sa basketball, pero masaya naman ako kasi may halaga yung hindi ko pag pasok,” he said in jest, right before how he expressed to stay in Letran and continue his collegiate career with Ricardo.

“Oo siyempre. Gusto ko umakyat ng Letran [seniors]. Si Coach Allen pa ‘rin, at sana kunin ako,” he shared.

If he were to stay in Letran, Manalili would be the next floor general of the Knights who are looking to move on from their disastrous campaign in Season 99. 

Having Ricardo on board, who is currently leading the Knights’ Season 100 preparations, can also help him make a seamless transition from HS to college. 

“Gusto ko habang nagba-basketball ako, siya yung coach ko kasi siya lang yung nakakaintindi siguro sa’kin,” said Manalili. “Kung nasa ibang school ako, siguro hindi ganto yung mapapakita ko. Ang daming nagbubulong sa’kin na iba iba yung ugali ng mga coaches, may nananakit, kaya thankful ako kay coach Allen.”

“May masakit naman [kay coach Allen], pero sa salita lang,” he quipped. 

NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP Jonathan Manalili. Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.

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