Romwel Anzures

Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Titing Manalili and San Beda University‘s Janti Miller. Photos by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div style="line-height:1.5"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765293244889IMG_9450.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Titing Manalili and San Beda University‘s Janti Miller. <em>Photos by Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.</em></span></span></span>MANILA — All eyes will be on Titing Manalili and Janti Miller as Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda University renew their storied rivalry in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball Finals.</div><p style="line-height:1.5">The pair of super rookies has lived up to the hype in leading their teams to the championship stage, with Manalili steadying the Knights at the point and Miller scoring from all over the floor for the Red Lions.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">But while the attention is naturally on the 6-foot-1 Cebuano playmaker and the 6-foot-4 gunner from the Bay Area, the surrounding narratives are just as compelling in what will be the 18th title showdown between Letran and San Beda.<strong></strong></p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>Knight and Day</strong></div><p style="line-height:1.5">Through 17 games, the Knights sit in the middle of the league in fast-break points with 11.18 per outing (6th), but their offense remains powered by a high-octane, run-and-gun approach.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">It’s in transition where Letran thrives. They lead the league with 19.3 assists per game, while also ranking third in steals (8.1) and fourth in points off turnovers (13.4).</p><p style="line-height:1.5">San Beda, however, specializes in neutralizing these. The Red Lions allow the fewest fast-break points in the league at just 8.2 per game, and also limit opponents to a league-best 10.4 points off turnovers.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">From long range, San Beda boasts another dangerous weapon, a league-high 137 made triples on 28.7% shooting in 477 attempts.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Still, Letran has the tools to counter the Red Lions’ snipers. The Knights are second-best in limiting opponents’ three-point accuracy (23.62%) and perimeter scoring (25.24%).<strong></strong></p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>Mind and Matter</strong></div><p style="line-height:1.5">Speaking of numbers, just as crucial as the players are the men calling the shots.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Allen Ricardo remains unbeaten in two NCAA title runs — albeit in the juniors division — but the second-year mentor insists that he has not proven anything yet.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“We have to write our own history,” said Ricardo, who once served as skills coach under former Letran head tactician Louie Alas.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">San Beda’s Yuri Escueta, meanwhile, already has the Season 99 championship to his name, but says that achievement belongs to the past.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">“Sabi ko nga even before the season started, Letran is an All-Star team, and they are peaking at the right time, so hindi ’to magiging madali,” he said.</p><div style="line-height:1.5"><br/></div><div style="line-height:1.5"><strong>Remnants of the Past</strong></div><p style="line-height:1.5">With the stories of yesteryears being tackled, both sides also carry a piece of their history into this year’s duel.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">Letran still has veteran big man Kevin Santos, the lone remaining Knight from the three-peat run that began, fittingly, against San Beda in 2019.</p><p style="line-height:1.5">On the other side, someone who was actually in that Season 95 series is present Red Lions consultant Boyet Fernandez, the former San Beda mentor who battled alongside the likes of Evan Nelle and Calvin Oftana.</p><div style="line-height:1.5">With the storylines set and the scouting reports complete, it will now be up to Letran and San Beda to outlast one another in a best-of-three war that begins Wednesday, December 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.<br/><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO: <span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/k0pMPHwbZOo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong></div>

<p>#NCAASeason101 ||| While the attention is naturally on the 6-foot-1 Cebuano playmaker and the 6-foot-4 gunner from the Bay Area, the surrounding narratives are just as compelling in what will be the 18th title showdown between Letran and San Beda. #NCAAFinals</p>

#NCAASeason101 ||| While the attention is naturally on the 6-foot-1 Cebuano playmaker and the 6-foot-4 gunner from the Bay Area, the surrounding narratives are just as compelling in what will be the 18th title showdown between Letran and San Beda. #NCAAFinals

NCAA: Letran–San Beda Finals more than a tale of two super rookies

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

NCAA: Letran–San Beda Finals more than a tale of two super rookies

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 09, 2025 11:40 PM PHT

Read More:

Basketball

NCAA

ABSSports

NCAA Season 101

NCAA Basketball

NCAA Finals

San Beda Red Lions

Letran Knights

Titing Manalili

Janti Miller

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.