Over the past five months, the dust from the thrilling NCAA Season 101 Men’s Basketball Tournament championship series between San Beda University and Colegio de San Juan de Letran has settled — but the landscape of Philippine collegiate basketball has undergone a major shift.
After playing a key role in the Red Lions’ title run, Janti Miller packed his bags and crossed over to the UAAP to join defending champion De La Salle University for Season 90, bringing with him two years of eligibility.
For Season 101 Freshman and Rookie of the Year Titing Manalili — who fell to Miller’s San Beda squad in a grueling three-game Finals clash that added another chapter to their storied rivalry — the high-profile transfer is nothing more than background noise.
Manalili insists there is no room for distractions as Letran ramps up its offseason preparations for a redemption run in Season 102 this September.
“Wala naman. Syempre nasa kanila naman ‘yon,” the 6-foot guard told Tiebreaker Times after the Knights’ loss to the JRU Heavy Bombers to open the 19th Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup on Monday afternoon.
“Wala naman akong oras na bigyan ‘yon ng isip. Focus ako kung saanman ako.”
Much like Miller, who was already the subject of UAAP transfer rumors even before the season began, Manalili has also had his fair share of buzz and spotlight. It ramped up after leading Letran to its first Finals appearance since Season 98 by averaging 13.89 points, 9.0 assists, 4.74 rebounds, and 2.21 steals.
However, for the Season 101 Mythical Team member, Manalili — also a homegrown product of the Letran program — has chosen loyalty and unfinished business over a change of scenery.
More than anything else, Manalili vowed to bring back the NCAA seniors’ basketball crown to Intramuros with the Knights before he even considers such a move.
“Siyempre, ano lang talaga, ako, stick lang ako dito. Gusto ko mag-champion kung lilipat ‘man ako. Ayoko naman iwan yung Letran din na ganon lang kasi malaki yung naitulong nila sa akin,” the 22-year-old guard from Cebu shared.
“Gusto ko rin suklian sila kung aalis ‘man ako, mag-champion muna ako, tsaka ko pag-isipan.”
The road to redemption, however, will be a steep climb, especially in a highly competitive NCAA field that includes JRU, San Beda, College of Saint Benilde, and the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA, among others.
Still, Manalili is taking Letran’s preseason buildup in stride. He stressed the importance of chemistry for a Knights squad set to welcome key recruits in George Diamante, Justin Cargo, Denzel Walker, and JB Lim.
“Marami pa kaming oras para i-build pa yung chemistry namin kasi nga halos rookie, at need namin silang bigyan ng kumpiyansa sa game. Kita naman natin na medyo limited lang yung time namin ngayon para sa rookies namin, at para hindi na rin masyadong sunog pagdating ng season,” Manalili said.
“Siyempre, unang game pa lang, talo nga. Hindi naman dito matatapos lahat. Balik kami sa trabaho at i-che-check namin sa viewing kung ano ang mali naming nagawa ngayon. Pagbubutihin na lang namin sa next game namin.”
