Sean Manganti nailed the game winner as Adamson University pulled the rug from under University of the Philippines, 69-68, for its fourth straight win in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Filoil Flying V Centre.
Manganti with the winner! Ahanmisi with the steal! Adamson pulls off the comeback! 69-68. #UAAPSeason81 | @BLozadaINQ pic.twitter.com/2OPPW5FXCR
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) September 26, 2018
After falling behind 57-47 at the end of the third, the Soaring Falcons reached second wind with a 10-1 run for a 67-66 lead with 1:39 remaining.
Bright Akhuetie put the Fighting Maroons back ahead with a putback off Paul Desiderio’s miss with 5.7 seconds to go before Manganti came through for Adamson.
The Soaring Falcons improved to a perfect 4-0 and buried the Fighting Maroons to 1-3.
Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren, though, wasn’t too head over heels after their dramatic win and instead reminded his players not to rest on their laurels.
“We allowed UP to dictate the game and we drifted away from what we’re supposed to be doing and the players can attest to this that we’re kind of selfish,” said Pumaren. “I’ve been telling them that 3-0 is nothing, 4-0 is nothing, if we win the championship they can probably start acting that way.”
“I appreciate the players and the coaches because they push themselves. We were in deep water already but in spite of that we were able to regain our composure.”
Manganti finished with 18 points for the Soaring Falcons while Jerrick Ahanmisi added 15 points on 3-of-7 shooting from long range.
Papi Sarr held Adamson’s paint with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Akhuetie had a terrific game of 20 points and 20 rebounds for the Fighting Maroons, who are on a three-game slide.