Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Denzil Sison-Walker in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.MANILA — Denzil Sison-Walker avoided a serious injury while Titing Manalili was sidelined by a wrist issue as Colegio de San Juan de Letran absorbed its first loss in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball.
With 3:50 left in the Knights’ eventual 82-81 defeat to Arellano University on Monday, Sison-Walker appeared to hyperextend his left knee after a steal by King Vinoya, forcing the athletic forward to sit out for over two minutes to have his knee iced.
Sison-Walker later returned to action and finished with 10 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and three assists, but Letran head coach Allen Ricardo allayed fears about the high-flyer’s status moving forward.
“He’s fine. Nothing serious,” Ricardo told ABS-CBN News of Sison-Walker, who has been averaging 16.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.5 assists, and one block for Letran, which has won three of its first four games in Group B.
Sison-Walker’s presence would be crucial for Letran, which will next face rival San Beda University on Monday as the Knights begin the crossover phase of the group stage.
Meanwhile, Manalili’s status for the upcoming rematch of the NCAA Season 101 Finals remains uncertain as the reigning Rookie of the Year continues his rehabilitation from a wrist injury that sidelined him against Arellano.
Colegio de San Juan de Letran’s Jonathan Manalili in NCAA Season 102 men’s basketball. Angela Davocol/NCAA Philippines.Manalili injured his right wrist after a bad fall in Letran’s 91-80 victory over Emilio Aguinaldo College last week, and while Ricardo said there are no major concerns about Manalili, his status moving forward has yet to be determined.
“Okay naman siya, but we’ll see,” said Ricardo of Manalili, who was averaging 11.0 points, 10.3 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 4.3 steals prior to Letran’s loss on Monday.