THOUGH he has yet to set foot on the collegiate stage, Jonathan Moses “Titing” Manalili has already found himself practicing alongside a gathering of stars in the Jones Cup-bound Strong Group Athletics.
Being a neophyte on the overseas stage can be overwhelming - so imagine also being the youngest and the most inexperienced player on the team at the same time.
Manalili, though, powers through self-doubt as he's dead set on being a reliable piece in coach Charles Tiu’s deck for the 43rd William Jones Cup in Chinese Taipei.
READ Local stars bolster Strong Group in upcoming William Jones Cup
The 20-year-old knows he can’t take the moment for granted, more so, he can’t let his diffidence take over now that he's in the very position he only once dreamt of being in.
“First time ko matawag sa ganito. Hindi ako makapaniwala. Nakakatakot ‘yung opportunity kasi yung mga kasama ko, pinapanood ko lang dati, ngayon kalaro ko na sa court,” the Letran guard fresh out of high school told SPIN.ph.
With the mix of Gilas mainstays in Kiefer Ravena, Rhenz Abando, RJ Abarrientos, Jordan Heading, RJ Abarrientos, Dave Ildefonso manning the backcourt, a few Fil-foreign standouts, and some experienced college players, Manalili knows he has to earn his spot in this team.
And he's more than up to the task.
“Hindi lang ito high school lang, or college, Pilipinas ‘yung nire-represent ko dito, professional mga kasama ko, iba dapat ang galaw,” he said.
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Lucky for him, he has his father, Cebu’s local basketball legend Norberto ‘Titing’ Manalili, to remind him of his purpose.
“Si Papa talaga nagpursige sa akin magbasketball kasi eh. Lagi niya sinasabi sakin ayusin ang disiplina sa katawan, makinig sa mga coaches, teammates na nakakatanda dahil alam nila ang ginagawa nila,” he said.
Jonathan is the ‘bunso’ of the family of 10, and one who, arguably, made it the ‘farthest’ among his siblings playing the game.
His dad, Titing Sr. was part of the good ol’ Mama’s Love Cebu team dubbed as the ‘Ginebra’ of the now-defunct PABL.
The older Titing Manalili now serves as a basketball coach in the locale as he guides his son who's jumpstarting his young career in Manila.
“Lagi sa akin sinasabi ni papa ko, ipagpatuloy yung hard work, kahit hindi garantisado sa playing time, dapat laging handa,” he shared. “Hindi importante yung haba ng minuto, but more on sa experience na makukuha ko.”
Unlike the other guys, the only thing under his basketball resume are his two NCAA Jrs. championships with the Letran Squires, but they’re more than enough to fuel this eager workhorse towards improving.
“Nasa isip ko kasi, ito pangarap ko eh, makapag-international, tulad ng mga ginawa nila kuya Kiefer, gusto ko maging proud sa akin magulang ko, bawi ko na sa kanila ‘yun,” he said.
Acknowledging the huge room for growth in his game, Manalili is grateful for the likes of Ravena for being a hands-on kuya. His guidance means a lot to the shy kid, who’s still adjusting to the leadership role - a role he'll ultimately fall into when he returns to his college team Letran.
“Si kuya Kiefer talaga, idol ko ‘yun dati, ngayon, siya mismo lumalapit sa 'kin, siya nakakapansin ng kulang ko, lagi ako binibigyan ng advice tulad ng mas matalas dapat mag-decision kasi iba sa international,” he shared.
A work in progress, Manalili bared he won’t waste any learning opportunity even if it means sacrifice and more 'overwhelming' moments.
“Mahirap din kasi nami-miss ko ‘yung pamilya ko, super close kami, kaya tuwing uuwi ako sinusulit ko talaga,” he said. “Lagi nila ako kinakamusta, sinasabi na sobrang proud sila sa 'kin dahil sa narating ko, kaya lagi ko gusto gumaling pa para lumayo pa, para sa kanila.”
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