By MARK REY MONTEJO
A few days before the opening ceremony of the NCAA, Colegio San Juan de Letran’s main backer Strong Group Athletics revealed that freshman Jonathan “Titing” Manalili would skip the centennial season due to an undisclosed injury.
According to Knights head coach Allen Ricardo, the 21-year-old Manalili is currently nursing an injury which would require him to rest for a few months.
“Yung injury ni Jonathan, matagal na niyang iniinda, since nung NCAA Season 99 pa. So instead of taking the risk na maging mas worse pa siya,” said Ricardo in a statement on SGA’s website. “We opted na lang to have it operated on,” he added.
The Cebuano dribbler was supposedly one of Letran’s biggest weapons after anchoring the Squires in the juniors finals where they came out victorious against the Perpetual Junior Altas in three games.
Manalili, who was named as Finals MVP, along with Marbel’s very own Syrex Silorio, powered Letran’s junior team to a back-to-back championship.
The shifty 6-foot-1 guard averaged 16 points, 6.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 steals.
The two-time NCAA champion also made his presence felt in his maiden appearance for the Knights by averaging 11 points, 5.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in the Filoil EcoOil 17th ECJ Preseason Cup. He then suited up for SGA in 43rd Williams Jones Cup where they reigned supreme after sweeping all of their preliminary assignments.
Letran will now lean on Deo Cuajao, Johnsherick Estrada, Kobe Monje and Nathan Montecillo.
“We will start every game with the right attitude and body language. I always tell the boys, for me, it’s your legacy—it’s how you play the game,” Ricardo continued.
