Romwel Anzures

Colegio de San Juan de Letran star Titing Manalili (#13) with his parents Norberto (right) and Bernadette (middle) following the Knights’ 74-70 win against University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.

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ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764985857089IMG_2114.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Colegio de San Juan de Letran star Titing Manalili (#13) with his parents Norberto (right) and Bernadette (middle) following the Knights’ 74-70 win against University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Colegio de San Juan de Letran star Titing Manalili (#13) with his parents Norberto (right) and Bernadette (middle) following the Knights’ 74-70 win against University of Perpetual Help in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. <em>Photo by Rom Anzures, ABS-CBN News.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Cebuano guard Titing Manalili has been the captain of Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s ship, with the rookie steering the Knights to their first NCAA men’s basketball Finals appearance in three years.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">Witnessing this from the sidelines was Jonathan Moses’ father, Norberto — the original “Titing Manalili” — and the moment reminded the elder Manalili of his own playing and coaching days in their hometown when he too enjoyed years of glory.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/5/ncaa-letran-sweeps-perpetual-to-punch-finals-ticket-1646"><strong>READ: Letran sweeps Perpetual to punch finals ticket</strong></a></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/2/ncaa-no-stage-too-big-lights-too-light-for-titing-manalili-2154"><strong>READ: No stage too big, lights too bright for Titing Manalili</strong></a></div><p style="line-height:1.5">“Nung naglalaro ako, sa shooting ako naka-focus,” said Norberto, who watched Titing and the Knights sweep University of Perpetual Help in the Season 101 Final 4 via a 74–70 win on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena, together with his wife Bernadette.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Norberto also has a resume to boast of, having played and coached for University of San Jose–Recoletos, while also suiting up for Philippine Amateur Basketball League (PABL) team Mama’s Love alongside PBA greats Jojo Lastimosa and Elmer Cabahug.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">But for Norberto, his son carries gifts he could only dream of — gifts rooted in Jonathan’s early introduction to the sport.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Since three years old siya, basketball na talaga eh,” shared the elder Manalili, after his son schooled Perpetual with 16 points, 14 assists, four rebounds, and a steal. “Nag-start sa dribble-dribble, pero ang bilib talaga ako sa kanya, may extra pa siya.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Yung mga pasa niya, yung IQ niya, ang galing talaga,” he raved. “Wala niyan sa akin eh, nung naglalaro ako, wala yan. Yung sa akin, shooting lang.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Backed by the foundation set by his father, the younger Manalili then sought to refine his skills further by any means necessary.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">At one point, he served as a water boy in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) before his teenage years just so he could watch and absorb organized hoops for free.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">After years of patience and countless barangay leagues, Jonathan was eventually discovered by current Knights coach Allen Ricardo in an Under-21 tournament in Cebu.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/23/how-letran-s-titing-manalili-made-a-name-for-himself-in-the-ncaa-2026"><strong>READ: From Cebu to Intramuros — How Letran’s Titing Manalili made a name for himself in the NCAA</strong></a></div><div style="line-height:1.5">Since then, their partnership has not only steered Letran back into championship contention in the seniors ranks, as Ricardo and Manalili also notched back-to-back NCAA juniors titles in 2023 and 2024 with the Squires.<br/><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1764985699512IMG_1769.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Colegio de San Juan de Letran star Titing Manalili (#13) and head coach Allen Ricardo in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines."/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Colegio de San Juan de Letran star Titing Manalili (#13) and head coach Allen Ricardo in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Final 4. <em>Photo by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span>However, beyond his growing list of accolades with the Muralla-based squad, the Season 99 Finals MVP has become one of the best point guards in collegiate basketball today, with his playmaking prowess leaving crowds in awe and hopefuls inspired.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">And with the pride and influence Jonathan has brought not only to their family but also to his fellow Bisaya, Norberto could not miss the chance to give his son the flowers he deserves.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Dumating kami kagabi, madaling araw,” he shared. “May bagyo pa sa Cebu, pero pumunta kami dito kasi gusto talaga namin siyang mapanood.”</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Jonathan now has the opportunity to stamp his class further by delivering Letran its first championship since the Bonnie Tan-led three-peat run that ended in 2022, as what followed after were two straight seasons of “Knightmares” for the program.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">But whether a title comes or not, one thing that will stand is Norberto’s pride in the growth his 21-year-old son continues to show, both as a player and as a person.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“I’m very, very proud talaga,” he emphasized as he talked about the younger Manalili, whose fanbase has stretched beyond their home island.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“In God’s will ’yan, bibigyan siya ng lakas. So siya, kailangan lang laging mag-ingat, iwas injuries,” Norberto continued, as his son now steers Letran closer to docking its ship at championship shores.<strong></strong><br/></p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABtCmu45oOWZQwSO"></script> <script data-wid="auto" type="text/javascript" src="https://content.viralize.tv/display/?zid=AAEyze-tm4MR6kEa&amp;cid=ABtCpman4x3nHe1k"></script></div>

<p>#NCAASeason101 || “Dumating kami kagabi, madaling araw,” shared Norberto 'Titing' Manalili. “May bagyo pa sa Cebu, pero pumunta kami dito kasi gusto talaga namin siyang mapanood.”</p>

#NCAASeason101 || “Dumating kami kagabi, madaling araw,” shared Norberto 'Titing' Manalili. “May bagyo pa sa Cebu, pero pumunta kami dito kasi gusto talaga namin siyang mapanood.”

Cebuano heart, Muralla pride: Titing Manalili inspires family, fellow Cebuanos in run with Letran

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Cebuano heart, Muralla pride: Titing Manalili inspires family, fellow Cebuanos in run with Letran

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 06, 2025 10:34 AM PHT

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