Manganti, Sarr falter as Falcons hold off Tigers
Adamson University depended on its bench players to hold off University of Sto. Tomas (UST), 79-71, and stay unscathed in Season 81 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball on Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
With lackluster efforts from Sean Manganti and Papi Sarr, the Soaring Falcons leaned on their second-stringers to post their third win in as many outings.
Manganti was scoreless in 16 minutes of play, a far cry from his career-high 27 points in the previous game while the Cameroonian center Sarr, who usually finish with a double-double, only had four points and seven rebounds.
It was frontline reliever Vince Magbuhos who saved the day for head coach Franz Pumaren and Adamson, tallying a career-high 15 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting clip to go with four steals.
Jonathan Espeleta came off the bench to chip in 12 points even as fellow bench players Simon Camacho and Kristian Bernardo added nine and seven markers, respectively, on top of a combined 13 boards.
“My bench players proved that they are capable of stepping up in case Papi is not hundred percent. He just played through sickness. Same thing with Sean,” said Pumaren.
“In spite of them (Manganti and Sarr) having a bad night because of illness and injury, I think this is one game that we were able to prove ourselves that we play as a team,” he added.
Starting guard Jerrick Ahanmisi topscored with 20 points, pouring nine markers of those in the fourth quarter en route to the win that saw Adamson churn out 29 points off UST’s season-high 27 turnovers.
Magbuhos sank back-to-back baskets as the Falcons soared to a 36-26 lead late in the second quarter but the Growling Tigers snatched a 48-45 advantage on Ken Zamora’s triple that capped an 8-0 blitz midway the third frame.
Ahanmisi and Bernardo scored five points each in a 10-4 spurt, pushing Pumaren’s men to a 68-60 lead at the 6:47 mark of the payoff period.
Having a hard time to score after Steve Akomo hit a basket that brought UST closer, 69-74, with 3:42 left, Adamson employed defense to force their foes to three crucial turnovers.
Second-stringer Jerom Lastimosa then beat the shot clock with a long jump shot for a 76-69 cushion with 49.8 seconds left, effectively sealing the victory.
Rookie swingman CJ Cansino had 18 points, five rebounds and two assists while Marvin Lee had 15 markers and five boards for the Aldin Ayo-mentored Tigers, who slid to 1-2.
Earlier in the women’s division, Jack Animam powered National University’s (NU) 90-64 rout of Ateneo De Manila University, as UST banked on balanced attack to demolish University of the Philippines (UP), 129-42.
Animam topscored with 20 points on top of eight rebounds and two assists as the Lady Bulldogs joined De La Salle University on top of the standings with identical 2-0 records.
Misaela Larosa and Malu Irebu notched 28 and 24 points, respectively, to lead three other Tigresses in double-digit scoring for their breakthrough win against a loss.
Game day losers Lady Eagles fell to 2-1 while the Lady Maroons remained winless in three outings.
* * *
The scores: Men’s division
ADAMSON (79)–Ahanmisi 20, Magbuhos 15, Espeleta 12, Camacho 9, Bernardo 7, Lastimosa 6, Sarr 4, Pingoy 4, Catapusan 2, Manganti 0, Colonia 0, Mojica 0.
UST (71)–Cansino 18, Lee 16, Subido 8, Akomo 8, Cosejo 6, Marcos 4, Huang 4, Zamora 3, Lagumen 2, Mahinay 2, Caunan 0.
Quarterscores: 20-18; 38-31; 58-54; 79-71
Women’s division
First game
UST (129)–Larosa 28, Irebu 24, Capilit 17, Ferrer 17, Tacatac 12, Sangalang 8, Aujero 7, Magat 6, Rivera 4, Casiano 3, Gonzales 3, Valera 0, Villar 0.
UP (42)–Cruz 13, Ferrer 8, Amar 4, Hidalgo 4, Medina 4, L. Ordoveza 3, De Guzman 2, Larrosa 2, Rivera 2, Bascon 0, De Leon 0, Gonzales 0, Lebico 0, Moa 0, C. Ordoveza 0, Rodas 0.
Quarterscores: 29-7; 69-18; 95-28; 129-42
Second game
NU (90)– Animam 20, Nabalan 14, Itesi 12, Del Carmen 10, Harada 8, Fabruada 7, Pingol 4, Camelo 4, Cacho 4, Ceño 3, Canuto 2, Cac 2, Bartolo 0, Goto 0, Layug 0.
ATENEO (64)– Joson 14, Go 12, Newsome 10, Buendia 8, Nimes 8, Guytingco 6, Villamor 6, Cancio 0, De Dios 0, Gino-Gino 0, Moslares 0, Chu 0.
Quarterscores: 22-9; 46-32; 69-40; 90-64
The post Manganti, Sarr falter as Falcons hold off Tigers appeared first on The Manila Times Online.