–Photo taken from Sean’s Instagram Account, @wcspm.
MANILA, Philippines–Former Adamson star Sean Manganti found himself back in his old stomping grounds last weekend, serving as a broadcast panel in a match between rival schools.
Known for his heart-stopping plays in the clutch during his time with the Soaring Falcons, the 29-year-old forward who is now plying his trade for Phoenix Super LPG said the TV stint packed an entirely different kind of intensity.
“I’ve always said if you understand the game of basketball, doing (the panel gig) is going to be easy. I was wrong!” he told the Inquirer recently. “That was such a big adjustment for me. It’s crazy. It’s an entirely new kind of pressure.”
“It’s like you have the ball for the last possession with 10 seconds left, and you got to win the game. It’s like that—for two hours!” he said with a chuckle.
Manganti provided analysis and color for the clash between University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University at Mall of Asia Arena that the Growling Tigers eventually won, 68-62, to snap their 19-game losing streak. Doing so, he said, was like no other.
“You have to analyze the game, entertain the folks at home and be correct with your speech while minding stats. Brother, it is so, so different,” he said.
“You also have to consider the people who maybe are just watching after work, or the people who just want to get entertainment. There may be even people who have been watching all their life, so you have to cater to all kinds of viewers. That was my first panel so it was a really big moment for me,” he added.
Manganti said that he has earned a gig through an assist dished out by PBA champion and now Phoenix deputy Willy Wilson, another Fil-Am talent who played in the UAAP. The former, it turns out, did well enough to secure future stints.
Though grateful for the path he has cut open for himself, Manganti, however, stressed that his PBA career remains front and center.
“Nothing comes before my basketball job,” said the versatile forward, who is entering his fourth season. “That’s my real passion and nothing comes before that.”
Manganti is projected to figure much more prominently for this edition of the Fuel Masters, who will be navigating their first full season under Jamike Jarin—a seasoned mentor who was permanently appointed to the saddle earlier this month.
Picked 8th overall in the 2019 Rookie Draft, Manganti will be shouldering bigger tasks this time out, especially with a bevy of rookies coming in for the squad in the Commissioner’s Cup.
And he’s looking to step up to the plate.
“Nothing comes before this—PBA. I’m giving it everything I have,” Manganti said. “I’m still making my way deep into the league. Coach Jamike is also giving me a bit more of a leadership role, so I’ll go from there.”