NCAA: Letran’s Manalili escapes serious injury, suffers sprained knee

Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Titing Manalili (#13) against Lyceum of the Philippines University in NCAA Season 102. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — What initially appeared to be a serious injury to Titing Manalili turned out to be less severe than feared, giving Colegio de San Juan de Letran some relief as the Knights continue their redemption campaign in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball.

“He has a sprained right knee and is expected to be back by November,” a source told ABS-CBN News on Friday, after Manalili’s setback cast a shadow over Letran’s 96-86 win over Lyceum of the Philippines University a day earlier.

Manalili was driving to the basket at the 1:55 mark of the fourth quarter when he collided with LPU’s Roger Ondoa before landing awkwardly on his right knee and needing assistance to leave the playing court.

The Cebuano guard was immediately rushed to the hospital as his knee continued to swell, but he fortunately avoided any major injuries.

“Buti nag-invest sila nang maigi sa strength and conditioning, talagang nakatulong ‘yun,” the source added.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore had already suffered a wrist injury in Letran’s 91-80 win against Emilio Aguinaldo College in late September following another bad fall, but missed only one match despite initially being advised to sit out for two to four weeks.

This time, however, the Knights will likely need to finish the group stage without the 6-foot-1 guard — who has been averaging 13.8 points, 10.2 assists, 4.0 steals, and 3.4 rebounds per game — as their final assignment before the playoffs is on November 10 against University of Perpetual Help.

This leaves the playmaking duties to the likes of Jimboy Estrada, Justin Cargo, and Nath Montecillo, among the Knights’ other backcourt players.