Jerrick Ahanmisi was the hero that the Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons needed, as he towed his side to a thrilling 80-75 win against the Marinerong Pilipino Skippers in their debut, Thursday evening at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Filipino-Nigerian guard, who is the younger brother of Rain or Shine playmaker Maverick, secured the game-swinging steal and dished the assist to Simon Camacho, who then converted on the three-point play in the final 10.9 seconds as the Falcons grabbed the 78-75 lead.
Renzo Subido tried to knot the score at 78, but his trey went way short, before Ahanmisi sealed the game shut from the free throw line.
Ahanmisi shot 4-of-8 from beyond-the-arc to lead the flight for Akari-Adamson with 23 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Sean Manganti contributed 13 markers, three boards, two assists, and two blocks, while Jerom Lastimosa got nine points for the Falcons.
“I don’t know if they underestimated