After six long years, National University finally defeated Ateneo de Manila University in the second round of the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Crucial to the Bulldogs’ win was Jolo Manansala, who produced 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in close to 21 minutes of action.
“Siguro masaya siyempre. In-enjoy ko lang talaga yung game eh. Hindi ako naghanap ng puntos. More on hustle,” said the athletic La Salle Green Hills product.
Mannsala was a thorn in the side of the Blue Eagles throughout the game. The Pampanga native found a way to score points inside the paint on a regular basis, much to the frustration of Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin.
NU coach Jeff Napa always preaches that his players need to prove themselves if they want to be deemed as one of the league’s big boys and the 21-year-old native of Pampanga finally had the game to demonstrate his credentials.
“Siguro nagtiwala lang talaga lang ako kay coach [Jeff Napa] eh. Kumbaga nung pinasok niya ako, ready lang ako,” he said.
“Kahit ilang minuto lang yun to the point na sobrang pagod ko na tinawag ko na para i-sub ako. Yung tiwala ni coach nandun pa rin so thankful pa rin ako. Makaka-build ako ng confidence ko lalo ngayon game na to.”
As a player coming from Bacolor, Pampanga, it should come as no surprise that Manansala is part of Governor Delta Pineda’s grassroots program.
It is one where the likes of Arwind Santos, Justine Baltazar, and Calvin Abueva have come from. Manansala still has a lot to prove if he wants to join those illustrious names but doing this on a consistent basis will very much put him in that standing.
For now, though, he just wants to inspire the kids.
“Siguro para maging inspiration sa mga bata nandun mas lalo na yung hinahawakan ni Gov para makalaro dito sa Manila.”
Big players rise from big moments and Manansala may have finally found the big break he needed by leading the Bulldogs past the Blue Eagles.
