By: Miguel Caramoan
For Colegio de San Juan de Letran rookie Jonathan Manalili, losing isn’t something he’s accustomed to.
That’s why it stings that his NCAA Season 101 Seniors Basketball debut ended in a 73-69 defeat against the JRU Heavy Bombers.
Still, it was a welcome sight for the Knights faithful to see Manalili finally suit up for the seniors team. The 6-foot guard was a proven winner in high school, leading the Letran Squires to back-to-back NCAA Juniors championships in Seasons 98 and 99.
Now, he faces the challenge of translating that success to the collegiate level.
“Masaya ako kasi nga ito yung pinaka-inaantay ko, ang bagong chapter sa pagba-basketball ko. Bagong level and syempre iba yung pressure,” said Manalili, who waited a full year before being able to play for the Knights.
Even with his pedigree, Manalili knows the jump to the seniors is no easy task. The physicality, speed, and overall competition are a notch above what he experienced in high school, a challenge he continues to navigate.
It was evident in his performance against the Heavy Bombers, as Manalili recorded 11 points, six rebounds, and three assists — but also committed four turnovers in 24 minutes of action.
“May pressure naman talaga. Kumbaga, hindi kasi ako kampanteng tao and alam ko iba yung competition ng juniors tsaka college. Kaya ayun, nag-aadjust pa rin ako hanggang ngayon,” he added.
One advantage he can rely on is his familiarity with head coach Allen Ricardo. Having played under him for years, Manalili already has a sense of what his mentor expects on both ends of the floor.
“Okay naman, palagi ko naman silang sinasabihan. Tsaka sa tagal na naming nagsama ni Coach Allen, alam ko na kung saan siya pupunta or kung kanino niya gusto o yung point of attack,” he said.
Still, the bitter taste of defeat is foreign to him. Coming from a background filled with titles and winning moments, Manalili admitted it was tough to process losing in his very first seniors’ game.
Now, he and the Knights will turn their attention to Sunday’s clash against rival San Beda — a perfect opportunity for the rookie to channel frustration into fuel and showcase the winning mentality that defined his high school years.
The matchup will be an early test of his resilience, and Manalili knows it’s the kind of stage where he can prove he belongs.
“Syempre sobra, kasi from juniors kumbaga andon na yung winning culture sa akin. Di ako sanay matalo at palaban akong tao. Kaya ayon, ganon ako kagigil,” he said.
“Kumbaga ngayon, sinasabihan ko naman yung mga teammates ko na parang hard loser ako.”
