During the first four games of their UAAP Season 81 Men’s Basketball campaign, Philip Manalang and the University of the East Red Warriors looked lost. The Red Warriors lost all their games by an average of 27.25 points while their lead floor general had only totaled 14 dimes.
“Parang ang hirap maglaro ng wala kang panalo e. Dumadating na yung doubts, yung pressure pero test of character e,” disclosed the 21-year-old point guard.
During that stretch, Manalang and fellow senior Alvin Pasaol continued to persevere. Being the leaders of this squad, they can’t afford to be down.
“Last few games namin, nakukuha naman nila pero di nila masyado nashushoot yung bola. Sobrang laki ng confidence ko sa kanila na kaya nila. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na kaya niyo, tiwala tayo na kaya nating manalo,” said Pasaol.
“Winner’s attitude, sinasabi ko sa sarili ko na ito yung mga teams na kailangan natin ma-overcome. Makaisa tayo, makuha lang natin yung kumpyansa natin, sunod sunod na yan,” added Manalang, a product of the National University High School program.
“Sinasabi ko lagi sa kanila, sa mga teammates ko na malalagpasan din namin ‘to.”
Up against a battle-tested FEU Tamaraws squad last Sunday, the Red Warriors showed no fear, blasting their arch-rivals 90-65 in a huge upset.
“Coming to this game, sa dugout palang, kinakamusta ko sila, pero parang sa dugout pa lang nakikita ko sa mata nila na nagusto nila manalo.
“Hindi nga sila nagkikibuan e. Parang galit galit muna, walang nagjojoke, sobra focus nila. Pag dating namin sa game na, dun na namin inenjoy yung basketball,” quipped Manalang.
And it was the 5-foot-10 guard who steadied UE’s ship, tallying 13 points and 12 assists. Those dimes were a five year-best with former Tamaraw Terrence Romeo last tallying that high of assists last June 29, 2013 against UE.
“Unselfish play kasi. Lagi kong sinasabi na kailangan ko kayo, di naman pwedeng puro Alvin lang or puro ako lang,” shared Manalang.
“Team tayo dito e. Pamilya tayo. So kailangan natin bawat isa, maliit na minute man yan, inaano ko pa rin na mag-contribute kayo, kahit sino, bench, yung mga maliliit na bagay, mag-cheer kayo pag down yung mga teammates niyo.
“Jason Varilla is one of our veterans tiyaka si Mark Maloles, di mawawala confidence ko sa kanila kasi shooters ko sila e, sila talaga ang kailangan ko this game,” he added.
With win number one in the bag, Manalang hopes to have more. Moreover, he is wishing that his underclassmen will continue to pay back the trust he is giving them
“Sobrang saya ko kasi yung tiwala ko sa kanila sinuklian nila e.”
