Highly-touted young guard Jonathan 'Titing' Manalili won't be around when Colegio de San Juan de Letran kicks off its redemption bid in the NCAA Season 100 that starts this Saturday.
Manalili was not included in the initial roster submitted by the Knights for the centennial season and the school's backer Strong Group Athletics (SGA) confirmed the development through a Facebook post on Monday. SGA, however, did not disclose the reason for Manalili's absence.
The 20-year-old playmaker was regarded as the boost the Knights needed in order to bounce back from a lackluster Season 99 campaign, which saw them rack up just two wins in 18 games following a three-peat feat in Seasons 95, 97, and 98.
Manalili carries with him two titles from the high school ranks after helping steer the Letran Squires to back-to-back crowns in the NCAA juniors tournament.
In his final year with the Squires in Season 99, the 6-foot dynamo posted 16.08 points together with 4.23 rebounds, 6.92 assists, and 2.46 steals and was hailed the Finals MVP.
Without Manalili, Letran will bank on holdovers Deo Cuajao, Kobe Monje, Kevin Santos, and Rafael Go as well as newcomers John Sherick Estrada and Jovel Baliling as the Allen Ricardo-helmed squad looks to regain its championship ways.
—JMB, GMA Integrated News
