Manganti in the right place at right time to save the Falcons

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Sean Manganti emerged as the unlikely hero for Adamson on Wednesday when he scored the game-winner that lifted the Soaring Falcons past University of the Philippines, 73-71, in the UAAP Season 80 men’s basketball tournament.

The 6-foot-3 forward grabbed his second rebound of the game and nailed the game-winning putback that gave the Soaring Falcons a 4-2 record and a share of third place in the standings.

Manganti who was, as the cliché goes in “right place at the right time,” said he was surprised when Adamson center Papi Sarr missed his putback attempt.

READ: Manganti game-winner lifts Adamson past UP

Sarr collected the rebound after Jerrick Ahanmisi missed his long jumper with the scores tied at 71-71 with less than 10 seconds left in the game, but missed a wide-open attempt at the basket.

“I was like ‘what the [expletive]?!’” said Manganti Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fortunately, Manganti was behind Sarr and had the presence of mind to go for the winner as the seconds wound down.

“I told him [Sarr] ‘good pass,’” said Manganti who finished with eight points. “He should’ve had a clear layup, he was right there, he blew it. I’m glad I was there to save us.”