Manalili says visit from Kevin Alas inspired the Squires in Game 1 win

Manalili later revealed that a visit from former Letran star Kevin Alas during one of their practices sparked this dominant outing.

Alas, of course, is one of the successful products out of the Letran junior and seniors team where he cemented his legacy en route to making a name in the professional league.

“Sinasabi sa amin ni kuya Kevin Alas na relax lang kami and antayin namin na ‘yung laro ‘yung lalapit sa amin,” Manalili said on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

This patience and composure definitely paid off for the defending champions.

Pitted against a squad known for its ability to storm back from big deficits, Letran made sure to start off hot. The Squires were quick to build a 13-point lead early in the game, before the Junior Altas rallied and took a 46-45 halftime lead.

But the wards of head coach Allen Ricardo flipped the switch in the third period, where Manalili and other usual suspects George Diamante, Syrex Silorio, and Jolo Navarro connived as they pulled away for good.

“Nakita niyo naman nu’ng first quarter lamang kami and then second quarter, nakabalik ‘yung Perpetual, we just told the boys during the halftime na we just have to stay composed offensively para maka-pull away and ayon nangyari naman. Nakinig sila doon sa game plan and then we controlled the fourth quarter,” Ricardo said.

Aside from Alas, who was a two-time NCAA Mythical Five member in the senior ranks, other former Letran standouts like Mark Cruz, JP Calvo, and King Caralipio also paid a visit to the Squires for their preparations.

“Lahat ng Letranista syempre nasa iisang grupo lang and they are just trying to motivate us, feed some info para makatulong,” Ricardo added.