THOUGH only a rookie in the professional ranks for Quezon Province in the 2026 MPBL, Jolo Manansala is very much eager to help the Huskers make sure of their continued contention.
Last year, Quezon Province marched forward all the way to the national finals, but suffered a sweep at the hands of Dave Ildefonso and Jason Brickman-led Abra.
For sure, the climb back to the championship round is going to be a tall task, especially with the departures of L-Jay Gonzales, Will Gozum, and Ximone Sandagon, but Manansala is nevertheless optimistic about their chances for this eighth season of the regional league.
“Gusto ko talaga sumubok. So far, trust the process lang naman kasi mahaba pa yung season," he told SPIN.ph.
Not NU to this
While, he may now be a Husker, the 6-foot-4 long-limbed wing will remain to be relied upon as a two-way force.
His playoff experience is one more boost he can provide to his new team. Compared to fellow UAAP-bred rookies John Abate, Cedrick Manzano, and Cholo Añonuevo, he has the most Final Four stints, after all.
During his five years with National U, Manansala and the Bulldogs made the Final Four thrice, even clinching the top seed during his final go-round.
“Ayun, kahit papaano naman, may experience din naman ako. Kami sa NU, may winning culture, so parang masaya kasi nag-i-stick ka lang sa system na ganoon, na 'di ka magre-relax kasi iba yung mindset 'pag winning culture yung team mo,” he said.
Outside of being a fixture in the playoff picture, however, the Bulldogs notoriously struggled to get over the hump and claim a championship, as Manansala’s tenure was right in the middle of the finals trilogy between La Salle and the University of the Philippines.
Meaning, he and Quezon Province have shared trauma from failed title bids - and are both dead set on changing the narrative.
“Excited na ako kasi, yun nga, galing din sila sa heartbreak. Kami, yung experience namin nila Jake [Figueroa], Nash [Enriquez], and yung buong team ng NU is heartbreak din kasi kinakapos kami," he said.
"So excited ako ngayon kung ano yung mararating namin ng team na 'to.”
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