Before they became PBA legends, Jojo Lastimosa and Boy Cabahug were members of the Mama’s Love team, part of the Visayan invasion that made the old Philippine Amateur Basketball League the premier amateur cage league in the country during the 1980s.
Mama’s Love would pack the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with fellow Visayans based in Manila supporting them against local powerhouse teams in the league.
Lastimosa was the team’s notable slasher while Cabahug was the squad’s dead shot from the perimeter and together, they helped the squad in becoming an instant contender.
One of their teammates in Mama’s Love was Ting Manalili, a wing man, and father of current Letran Knights lead point guard Jonathan Ting Manalili, so when Pinoystep.com asked the two cage legends were asked about their thoughts about the young player, they were able to draw comparisons at how they played.
“Titing was my Mama’s Love teammate,” wrote Lastimosa in a Viber message. “I saw a bit of how his son played and I’ve heard so much about him.”
Cabahug explained the differences in playing stye of the father and son.
“Point guard yung anak,si Titing naman, shooter,” added Cabahug.
Both PBA legends who were traded to each other prior to the start of the 1991 PBA season admitted that the younger Manalili is indeed the better, more complete player.
“I think so,” added Lasrtimosa when asked if the young player can exceed the skill set of his father.
Cabahug agreed with Lastimosa’s observation.
“Mas magaling yung anak. Skilled yung bata and iba yung court vision,” added Cabahug.
The young Manalili has become an instant attraction while playing for Letran in the NCAA’s 101st season.
Photo from Ting Manalili’s Facebook
