TITING Manalili won the battle, but may have come out worse for wear for the still-oncoming NCAA Season 102 wars.
The Cebuano guard steered Letran to a 96-86 bounce back victory vs. Lyceum on Thursday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.
But his second game braving through a right wrist injury may have cost the Knights a lot more in the long run after he seemingly hurt his right knee late in the game.
Manalili was in full control, dropping 12 of his 23 points in the second quarter breakaway where the Muralla side increased their lead to 21.
And in the face of a rampaging Pirate fightback in the final frame, Manalili was the steadying presence, dishing out two crucial assists to finish with 12 dimes.
He was about to wrap things up with a huge drive that restored the lead to 16, 92-76, but a bad fall sent him straight back to the dugout with 1:55 left to play.
Manalili's knee
"I'm thinking about his condition, but sa akin I'm very optimistic and positive na minor lang ang nangyari," said coach Allen Ricardo.
"Knowing Jonathan, masipag yan sa workouts niya and nakita ko naman yung body language niya nung lumabas siya ng court."
Jimboy Estrada put up a game-high 25 points built on four triples which went with five boards; Denzil Sison-Walker got 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals; and Chad Gammad scored 12 to help snap their two-game skid.
Letran improved to 4-2 in the standings ahead of its tough stretch of games against Mapua, Jose Rizal University, and Benilde in the crossover round.
Matthew Rubico carried the Lyceum with 21 points, six assists, four rebounds, and three steals, as Roger Ondoa chipped in 17 points and six boards in a game where they fought to as close as nine before faltering late.
They sunk to their fourth straight loss and fifth overall out of six games.
The Scores:
LETRAN 96 - Estrada 25, Manalili 23, Sison-Walker 15, Gammad 12, Cargo 6, Montecillo 6, Buensalida 3, Santos 3, Hugo 2, Muyuela 1, Reyes 0, Villanueva 0.
LYCEUM 86 - Rubico 21, Ondoa 17, Guadana 9, Penafiel 8, Villegas 7, Daileg 6, Almario 4, Matienzo 4, Nocum 2, Manuel 2, Aviles 0, Fuentes 0, Pallingayan 0.
Quarters: 22-20, 53-43, 76-55, 96-86
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