For Titing Manalili, who never experienced losing in the championship stage in his high school days, the pressure in the collegiate ranks is a completely different challenge.

Manalili was one of the key drivers who steered the Letran Squires to back-to-back titles in NCAA Seasons 98 and 99.

“I did not lose in high school, it is not that easy. It is a different kind of competition here in college,” he said.

In the prized point guard’s rookie year, the Muralla-based crew are set to battle their archrivals, the San Beda Red Lions, in the NCAA Season 101 men’s basketball finals.

Scouting, studying

While the Knights secured their finals berth on 5 December, the Red Lions prevailed against the Benilde Blazers in the do-or-die semifinals match on 7 December — a game the entire Letran squad watched closely.

Like many teams preparing for a finals showdown, the 21-year-old Cebu native cited San Beda’s do-it-all guard Janti Miller as a major obstacle in their title quest.

“We saw it earlier, he carried San Beda. It is important for us to stop him,” Manalili shared. “We will study their tendencies and what side they are weak on.”

Manalili also tagged Red Lions skipper Yukien Andrada and consistent scorer Bryan Sajonia as key players they need to keep an eye on.

He likewise emphasized the physicality — a trademark of every Letran–San Beda rivalry — as something he expects in the finals series.

“We just have to expect the physicality. We just have to expect that because from the jump ball, something will happen,” he remarked. something will happen,” he remarked.