Jonathan Manalili, the standout 6-foot guard from the Letran Squires, has his sights set on continuing his basketball journey under the guidance of Coach Allen Ricardo. After a triumphant end to his high school career with a championship win in the NCAA Season 99 tournament, Manalili expressed his desire to advance to the senior ranks at Colegio de San Juan de Letran, where Ricardo currently serves as the interim head coach.
Manalili, instrumental in securing Letran’s 14th overall title, showcased his skills by scoring a career-high 35 points in Game 1 of the finals. Despite a challenging Game 2, he rebounded strongly in the decisive match, contributing significantly to the team’s victory.
Hailing from Cebu, the 19-year-old guard credits much of his success to Coach Ricardo’s understanding and guidance, indicating a strong player-coach bond that he believes has been crucial to his development and performance. Manalili’s aspiration to play under Ricardo in the senior division reflects his loyalty and trust in his mentor’s ability to nurture his growing talent in basketball.