TWO games separate Titing Manalili from being eligible for the NCAA Season 102 men's basketball awards.
And for coach Allen Ricardo, he's optimistic that his star guard will meet the quota.
"Kakayanin," replied the Letran mentor when asked by Spin.ph on the prospects of Manalili's return from a sprained right knee.
"Recovering naman si Jonathan and positive kami na makakabalik siya in time para sa playoffs."
READ: Letran goes back-to-back with impressive blowout of St. Benilde
The Knights are expecting the Cebuano guard to be back in action come November, which is right around the end of the second round of the eliminations.
Letran is set to face Emilio Aguinaldo College on Nov. 5 and Perpetual on Nov. 10 as its final two assignments.
Based on Spin.ph's unofficial computation, Manalili is the provisional leader in the MVP race with his 50.600 PAV after averaging 13.8 points, a league-best 10.2 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.4 rebounds in five games.
His situation mirrors that of Allen Liwag who barely met the seven-game quota last year and copped his second MVP honors.
Of course, playing alone doesn't guarantee Manalili anything as he also has to perform and for Letran to win in those games.
The 6-foot guard finished as runner-up to the top individual plum last season and is shooting to be the first Knight to be named MVP since Rhenz Abando in NCAA Season 97.
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