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Jerrick Ahanmisi got hot from the downtown as Akari-Adamson downed AMA Online Education, 100-89, Monday in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Pasig Sports Center.
Ahanmisi, the younger brother of Rain or Shine playmaker Maverick, drilled seven of his eight triples to fire 26 points. He also collected three rebounds and four assists.
Papi Sarr dominated the paint, posting 15 points and 18 rebounds as he made up for lost time after missing Adamson’s last game, while Jerom Lastimosa had 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists off the bench.
The win allowed the Falcons to grab solo second spot at 5-3 and atone for their 57-76 defeat to pacesetter CEU last Tuesday.
Still, coach Franz Pumaren maintained that he will never be satisfied with how his boys are playing.
“We’re still groping for form. We’re trying to implement new rules and the boys are still adjusting,” he said.
Akari-Adamson raced to a 13-point lead, 50-37, late in the second quarter, but former Falcon Robbie Manalang and Carlo Escalambre helped AMA stay within striking distance and the Titans even got to within five, 93-88, courtesy of a Jay-R Taganas bucket with 2:25 remaining.
Ahanmisi, then, put on the finishing touches in the victory, drilling a fallaway to douse the rally and putting the exclamation point with another three in the waning seconds.
Manalang carried the Titans (1-5) with 21 points and five rebounds, Mac Andaya got 15 markers, seven boards, and seven blocks, and Escalambre had 14 points and nine rebounds in the defeat.
The scores:
AKARI-ADAMSON 100 — Ahanmisi 26, Sarr 15, Lastimosa 11, Camacho 9, Manganti 9, Catapusan 8, Espeleta 8, Pingoy 6, Lojera 4, Mojica 4, Zaldivar 0.
AMA ONLINE EDUCATION 89 — Manalang 21, Andaya 15, Escalambre 14, Taganas 14, Martinez 13, Garcia 6, Lao 4, Antonares 2, Paras 0, Salonga 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 52-41, 79-68, 100-89.