| Jonathan Banal | |
|---|---|
| College | Mapua Institute of Technology |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Position | Point guard |
| Major | Industrial Engineering |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| High school | FEU FERN College |
Jonathan Banal (is also known as "Tan-Tan" by his peers), is the son of San Beda College Red Lions head coach Enrico "Koy" Banal. His brother is also a player in FEU Baby Tamaraws.
He started playing for San Beda Red Cubs, Then was a former Baby Tamaraw (he studied high school in FEU FERN College), now a Cardinal.
Jonathan is currently playing for NCAA's Mapua Institute of Technology.
In 2007, his rookie year with MIT, The Mapua Cardinals’ new found sparker, Jonathan Banal, ascertained his basketball prowess after being dubbed as the 2007 Rookie of the Year (ROY) in the awarding ceremony presented by ANTA last October 25 at the Manila Pavilion.
The total votes cast by the University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) and National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Press Corps based on Banal’s league performance entitled the five-foot-eight guard with one of the most-coveted awards in the sport. He and Far Eastern University’s JR Cawaling bagged the recognition for their respective leagues.
Banal outwitted NCAA’s 84th ROY awardee, San Beda’s Dave Marcelo.
“Sobrang saya ko kasi unexpected talaga yung pagkapanalo ko,” said Banal. “Lumamang ako sa ibang rookies in terms of playing time. Binigyan ako ni coach Leo ng mahabang exposure. Lamang din ako sa assists.”
On the other hand, NCAA’s Most Valuable Player Kelvin Dela Peña was chosen part of college ball’s Mythical Team together with UAAP’s MVP Jervy Cruz, San Beda’s Yousif Aljamal, Ateneo’s Chris Tiu and University of the East’s Mark Borboran. Other awardees were La Salle’s Franz Pumaren and Letran’s Louie Alas who both savored the Coach of the Year prestige for UAAP and NCAA respectively.
The annually held Collegiate Basketball Awards is sponsored by ANTA, a shoe and apparel company, San Miguel Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, Hapee Toothpaste, Harbour Center, in coordination with the Philippine Sportswriters Association.
He is currently on leave due to his ACL injury and he's not playing for the Cardinals for the 85th season.