NYGEL GONZALES LETS GAME DO THE TALKING IN SOLID GAME 1 OUTING

SAN Beda coach Yuri Escueta sparked a conversation over the weekend after declaring Nygel Gonzales as the best point guard in all of NCAA Season 101 ahead of their clash against Letran Knights led by Titing Manalili – considered by many as the player who holds that distinction. 

Gonzales isn’t worried about that conversation, all he cares about is winning – something they did as the Red Lions drew first blood in the NCAA Season 101 finals by dominating Letran 89-70 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

READ: San Beda on the cusp of another NCAA title after smashing Letran

The third-year guard shared that it’s always been respect between him and Manalili, a player he’s known since his time in the juniors division, as he faced Manalili and the Letran Squires during his final year with the Mapua Red Robins. 

"Di ko naman siya masyadong pinapansin, wala naman akong pakielam sa comparison. Titing is a very good player talaga," he said. 

"Sobrang saya rin, since Juniors magkalaban kami then pag-akyat sa seniors ito na naman kami. Sa social media, wala naman akong pakiealam sa sinasabi doon, kaya kami nanalo dahil sa schemes and preparation ni Coach Yuri and we’re able to execute," he added.

 

By not focusing on the external noise, Gonzales was able to play one of his best games of the season – finishing with 14 points on an ultra-efficient 6-of-9 shooting to go along five assists while taking on the challenge of making life hell for Manalili. 

Manalili still got his numbers, finishing with 17 points and five assists, but he had to work for every single shot and every single possession. 

Gonzales didn’t need extra motivation to step up. He knew how this finals series is extra special for the community given that it’s the first San Beda - Letran championship affair in six years. 

"Kitang kita naman sa alumni and Bedan community kung gano ka-importante yung Beda - Letran. For me we treat it as a once in a lifetime opportunity," he said. 

"Tinry namin i-slow down yung game. Nag-focus lang kami sa execution ng offense namin and shots namin started falling in." 

Yuri clarifies

Asked about the stir he created, Escueta said that he meant no disrespect towards Manalili, acknowledging how good the Cebuano guard is and the impact he’s made for Letran all season long. 

"Titing Manalili is a five star talent," Escueta said. 

"I have high respect for him. He’s a very good offensive player, unfortunately yung player ko kasi si Nygel Gonzales," he added in jest.   

"That’s why he’ll always back his player, a player he describes as an ‘all-around package,’ the guy who pretty much does everything for his team. 

"Unang-una player ko si Nygel. I’ll always go sa player ko. Second thing, I talked to Nygel, I was telling him that it’s the all-around package, that’s why I’m betting on him," he continued. 

"He guards the opponent’s best player, he’s the one who brings the ball down everytime, he looks for his teammates to get open, that for me as a coach is a sign of a good point guard." 

While Escueta was all praises for Gonzales after doing a yeoman’s job on making life difficult for Manalili, he knows that it took a total team effort in limiting Manalili’s impact on the game. 

"As a coach, it’s a challenge to my player of course. We all know how talented Titing is. It’s just challenging my player to play a good game against Titing," he shared. 

"But it’s not just a challenge for him personally. It was a challenge to the whole team. We cannot stop Manalili one-on-one. Credit also to the other guys. The bigs, it’s a team game," he added. 

"If we need to play five-on-one against Titing, we’re gonna play five-on-one against Titing and Nygel’s gonna be the head of that five-on-one."

2025-12-10T12:15:06Z