Letran Finds Way to Win Without Manalili, Downs Top-Seeded JRU

Letran entered its matchup against JRU looking to prove they could win without Jonathan “Titing” Manalili, their lead guard who is expected to miss games until November due to a right knee sprain.

After losing to Arellano and Mapúa in games Manalili missed, the Knights finally found a way to get the job done against the league-leading Heavy Bombers, 70-66, in NCAA Season 102 on Thursday, snapping JRU’s four-game winning streak.

Beyond the win, the game gave Letran a chance to see how their guards could adjust and take on greater responsibility without their usual floor general.

“I’m happy because nakita ko na kahit wala si Jonathan, nakaka-execute na ’yung mga guards namin. And kapag inaalis ko si Nath [Montecillo], nasusunod pa rin ’yung gusto kong mangyari, offensively and defensively. I’m happy with that. We needed this win,” Letran head coach Allen Ricardo said.

Backup point guard Nathaniel Montecillo stepped up as Letran’s floor general in Manalili’s absence, finishing with eight points and four rebounds while leading the Knights with four assists.

Still, adjusting to life without their lead guard has been a challenge for the Knights, particularly on offense. Chad Gammad, who led Letran with 21 points, four rebounds, and three assists against JRU, acknowledged the difference Manalili’s absence has made to the team’s execution.

“After the injury, we had to adjust big time on our execution. Nung andun si Titing, parang flowing lang talaga ’yung offense namin, parang wala talagang putol,” Gammad said.

The win against JRU showed that Letran is beginning to find answers, but the Knights still have room to improve, especially when games get tight.

Coach Ricardo pointed to execution under pressure and physicality as areas the team needs to work on, particularly with the playoffs in mind.

“We have to learn how to execute with pressure and execute with physicality. ’Yun ’yung mga gusto naming ma-overcome or ma-achieve, especially going into the playoffs,” coach Ricardo said.

For Letran, the challenge now is to build on the progress it showed against JRU. The Knights have found a way to win without their lead guard, but maintaining their offensive rhythm and executing under pressure remain priorities until Manalili returns.