AFTER months of clawing his way out of a slow start personally, Jolo Manansala finally looked like the preseason version National U expected for UAAP Season 88.
After averaging just six points, five rebounds, and one assist in 12 games, the senior forward broke through with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three blocks in the Bulldogs' come-from-behind 83–74 triumph over University of the East on Saturday.
READ: NU assured of Top 2 berth thanks to furious fightback vs UE
“Nasa mindset ko lang naman lagi is ibalik kung ano yung laro ko, ibalik yung aggressiveness ko,” he said afterward.
As the Kapampangan wing couldn’t find his footing offensively early on in the season, he said coach Jeff Napa just reminded him to stick to his strengths.
“Parang mas madami akong gustong gawin and out of the system na talaga,” he admitted.
“Ayun, ni-remind lang ako ni coach Jeff na laruin ko lang yung strength ko. 'Pag nakuha ko yung bola, kapag kaya ko atake, i-atake ko without hesitation. Diretso, straight to the basket.”
Against the Red Warriors, Manansala played without hesitation, indeed - just as NU needed someone to pull it out of a sluggish first half.
“Parang mas nakitaan ko na may advantage ako sa bumabantay sa akin. Kasi 'pag naka-small ball kami, alam ko naman kaya ko yung babantay sa akin,” he said.
“So yun, tinake-advantage lang namin ng mga teammates ko. Sobrang grateful ako sa kanila kasi talagang nandoon yung tiwala. Every time ipinapasa nila yung bola sa akin.”
The victory didn’t just keep the blue-and-gold at No. 1 with an 11–2 record, it also locked in the school’s first twice-to-beat advantage since Season 76.
Manansala the man
Manansala’s strong preseason actually hinted at this version of him, the one who could pressure defenses and punish smaller defenders.
After struggling to translate that to the UAAP itself, he’s finally stringing together confident games at the perfect time.
As he put it, “'Di ako kuntento kung ano yung pinapakita ko ngayon. Kumbaga mas ita-try ko pang i-level up, mas makatulong sa team.”
That matters much more, as even though they'll be twice-to-beat for the next round, the senior forward knows full well they can’t afford to slip.
As one of National U’s veterans, he’s been reminding the younger Bulldogs not to relax - advice he admits he also needs to follow through with.
“Siyempre, sisimulan namin yun sa sarili namin. Kami yung role model ng teammates namin,” he said.
With NU's title window wide open, he and fellow 'OGs' Jake Figueroa and Steve Nash Enriquez are laser-focused on one thing.
“Iba yung gutom namin ngayon,” Manansala said. “Especially kaming tatlo nila Jake and Nash, kasi iba kapag nabalik namin yung championship sa NU.”
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