TITING Manalili isn’t worried about his status or how people view him as conversations on who the NCAA’s best point guard is swirled over the weekend.
If there weren’t enough storylines running through San Beda and Letran’s triumphant return to the NCAA finals, San Beda coach Yuri Escueta caused quite a stir when he called Nygel Gonzales as the best point guard in the league, a distinction many onlookers believe belong to Manalili.
READ: San Beda on the cusp of another NCAA title after smashing Letran
But Manalili doesn’t care about all that at all.
“Ano man yung sinasabi ng mga ibang tao yung mga awards na yan or best point guard na yan. Okay na ako, sa inyo na yan,” he said.
“I'm not here to prove anything [to anyone.]"
Bewildering it may sound to many, as of game one, Gonzales has certainly backed this claim.
Gonzales had 14 points for the Red Lions, just three points shy of Manalili’s 17 points and four steals. Aside from that, though, both facilitators chipped in an identical two rebounds and five assists.
READ: Nygel Gonzales lets game do the talking in solid Game 1 outing
Most importantly though, it was Gonzales’ San Beda who moved a win away from winning the NCAA championship after an impressive 89-70 win on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
For Manalili, the most important thing for him is how he’ll be leading his team back into the series come the do-or-die Game 2 this Saturday.
At the end of the day, he knows his game, his teammates know what he’s capable of, and he’s not about to force himself into conversations that won’t affect their season.
“Nag-ensayo ako sumula January pa. Para sa team, hindi yung para sa sarili ko lang. Sa akin naman, okay na ako. Sa inyo na yung mga award na yan,” he said.
“Sa juniors okay na ako. Ano man yung nakuha kong awards, okay na. Nandito ako para mag-champion ng team ko.”
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.
