Titing Manalili grateful to Letran's Ricardo, Perpetual's Cleopas
At A Glance
- NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP Titing Manalili has nothing but sweet words for the two coaches who opened the door toward his early success in basketball -- Letran's Allen Ricardo and Perpetual's Joph Cleopas.
NCAA Season 99 Finals MVP Titing Manalili has nothing but sweet words for the two coaches who opened the door toward his early success in basketball -- Letran’s Allen Ricardo and Perpetual’s Joph Cleopas.

Manalili, 19, who played for Ricardo and Cleopas throughout his young career, took his time to appreciate both coaches for giving him the opportunity to hone his skills and compete to a much higher level of basketball.
"Siguro isa siya sa mga rason kung ba’t ako napunta rito. Malaki ‘yong pasasalamat ko sa kanya," said Manalili of Cleopas, who was his mentor way back in Cebu City’s University of Southern Philippines Foundation.
It can be remembered that Cleopas and Manalili’s family have known each other ever since, especially with the former lending his hand to the young dribbler to get closer to his dreams.
"Masaya ako. Mahaba na ‘yung kwento namin ni coach. Una kasi nu’ng pumunta ako sa school na ‘yon, puro mga 18 [years old] pataas and ako lang ata ‘yung bata, 13 or 14. Syempre hinanapan niya ako ng paraan para makalaro sa mga liga," he added.
"Close kami ng family nyan, kilalang kilala namin ang isa't isa, pero finals 'to eh kailangan isantabi muna 'yon," said Cleopas.
Manalili is hoping to remain under the tutelage of Ricardo, who will guide the Knights in the centennial season.
"Oo syempre, gusto ko pang umakyat ng Letran (Knights) para si Coach Allen (Ricardo) pa rin ang coach. Gusto ko habang nagba-basketball ako siya lang ‘yong coach ko kasi siya lang ‘yong nakakaintindi sa akin,” Manalili added.
Manalili and Ricardo were together in winning back-to-back titles for the Intramuros-based squad, sweeping the De La Salle Greenhills in Season 98 and, for this year denying the Perpetual Junior Altas for their first-ever championship in the grand old league.