TO nobody’s surprise, Titing Manalili looked totally comfortable under the spotlight even as a rookie in his first semifinals in the seniors level.
With all eyes on him, Manalili put on a show as he led Letran to a 77-73 win over Perpetual in Game 1 of the NCAA Season 101 semifinals, Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Manalili finished with 15 points, eight assists and six steals in his semifinals debut, showing his playmaking and all the flair he puts into it.
READ: Letran holds off Perpetual late to take Game 1 in NCAA semifinals
Take this one for example: With the Altas hot on their heels late in the third quarter, Manalili grabbed the rebound and pushed the basketball, crossed LA Casinilio just outside the three-point line to draw the attention of big man JP Boral who did a good job cutting him off, leaving him a split second to find a teammate or force a contested shot.
And found a teammate he did, delivering a beautiful, no-look pass to a cutting Deo Cuajao on the baseline to push the Letran lead back to nine in the third, a lead they never relinquished enrout to the Game 1 win.
Imagine doing that while he’s still, admittedly, feeling the nerves.
“First time ko dito, medyo may kaba. Maraming tao ngayon at yung venue malaki. Sinasabi ko lang sarili ko ‘wag ka masyadong ma-pressure kasi isa ka sa mga nagdadala sa team.’ Talagang nireremind ko lang sarili ko na mag-relax ako,” Manalili admitted.
“Masaya ako kasi nga na-execute ko yung pinageensayuhan namin. Na-handle ko yung team,” he added. “Di man ganun kalaki yung lamang namin pero a win is a win so move on kami and focus na kami sa next game.”
But while he’s certainly had the most experience in big time games, having played in those high-pressure matches in his time with the Letran Squires where he won back-to-back NCAA juniors championship, what makes Manalili so fit to lead is he isn’t imposing himself on the team.
By humbling himself to take the lead from his seniors off the court, he gets to focus on what he does best – do his magic and take the lead on the court.
“Nakapasok nga na dalawang beses ako sa finals at nag champion, pero wala parin akong masasabi sa experience parin kasi first year ko lang ngayon – iba rin ang college level kasi yung sa competition, sa katawan at sa bungguan,” he admitted.
“Yun sinasabi lang nila sakin na need ko mag-focus. Wag ako papatol kung pipisikalin man ako, wag ako mag-react and need ako maging composed at need ko mag-lead para sa team.”
Manalili now gets a chance to play on a much bigger stage as another win this Friday sends them to the finals.
More importantly, it gives them an extra-day to rest, especially as this year-long campaign nears its end.
“Balik kami sa ensayo, magvviewing kami, panoorin namin kung ano lapses namin as a team [ma-correct] namin at magawa namin sa court ng maayos,” he said
“Gusto narin namin kasi matapos yung season ng maaga kasi nga pagod narin kami. January palang nageensayo na kami. Sinabi ko nga na bigay na natin yung best natin hindi natin alam kung hanggang kailan ang season natin ngayon.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
