D-League: Manganti heats up as Akari-Adamson clinches playoff seat
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Sean Manganti guided Akari-Adamson to the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup playoffs after a 90-71 drubbing of Wangs Basketball-Letran Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The reed-thin forward was on fire all day long, unloading 10 of his 24 points in the third quarter where the Falcons broke off from the Couriers and turned a close 36-35 advantage to an 18-point lead, 61-43, which they would extend to 23, 84-61, on a Papi Sarr putback with 3:41 left in the game.
Manganti also grabbed five rebounds and four assists in Akari-Adamson’s third straight victory to grab a share of the lead at 7-2.
“We really played well. That’s what were trying to envision, that we can be aggressive on defense and that’s what we’re preaching,” said coach Franz Pumaren.
Jerrick Ahanmisi went a perfect 7-of-7 from the charity stripe to wound up with 15 markers, five boards, and four dimes, while Cameroonian center Papi Sarr got a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Simon Camacho also got 14 markers and seven boards as the Falcons dominated the boards, 48-35.
Wangs-Letran leaned on Rey Publico, who topscored with 20 points and five rebounds.
Jeo Ambohot also dropped 12 markers and four boards, while Bong Quinto has 10.
The Couriers saw their three-game winning streak snapped to fall to a 5-3 record.
The Scores:
AKARI-ADAMSON 90 — Manganti 24, Ahanmisi 15, Sarr 15, Camacho 14, Catapusan 6, Espeleta 5, Macion 4, Mojica 3, Lastimosa 2, Pingoy 2, Zaldivar 0.
WANGS BASKETBALL-LETRAN 71 — Publico 20, Ambohot 12, Quinto 10, Calvo 7, Balanza 6, Muyang 6, Yu 6, Balagasay 2, Mandreza 2, Batiller 0, Taladua 0, Trinidad 0.
Quarters: 15-14, 36-35, 66-49, 90-71.
