Jerrick Ahanmisi was on fire for the Akari-Adamson Soaring Falcons as they claimed solo second place with a 100-89 drubbing of the AMA Online Education Titans, Monday afternoon at the Pasig Sports Center.
The sweet-shooting playmaker shot 7-of-8 from threes and poured 26 points, on top of his four assists and three rebounds to give the Falcons their fifth win in seven outings.
Cameroonian student-athlete Papi Sarr also made a huge impact on his return, tallying a double-double of 15 markers and 18 boards to make up for his absence last time out.
Jerom Lastimosa also got it done with 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists in the win.
Coach Franz Pumaren, though, believes that his side still has a long way to go before getting to the level he desires in preparation for the UAAP season.
“We’re still groping for form. We’re trying to implement new rules and the boys are still adjusting,” he said.
Akari-Adamson struggled to fend off the pesky AMA, even after grabbing a 13-point lead, 50-37 late in the first half as Robbie Manalang and Carlo Escalambre led the Titans’ rally in the third period.
Jay-R Taganas would get the lead down to five, 93-88 in the last 2:25, before Ahanmisi finished the job off with a fadeaway jumper to quash the run and a three-pointer in the last 9.6 ticks to put the nail in the coffin.
It was a valiant effort from Manalang, who had 21 points and five rebounds, and Escalambre, who got 14 markers and nine boards, in the game against their former squad.
Mac Andaya unloaded 15 points, seven rebounds, and seven blocks for AMA, which went down to 1-5.
The Scores:
Akari-Adamson 100 — Ahanmisi 26, Sarr 15, Lastimosa 11, Camacho 9, Manganti 9, Catapusan 8, Espeleta 8, Pingoy 6, Lojera 4, Mojica 4, Zaldivar 0.
AMA Online Education 89 — Manalang 21, Andaya 15, Escalambre 14, Taganas 14, Martinez 13, Garcia 6, Lao 4, Antonares 2, Paras 0, Salonga 0, Tolentino 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 52-41, 79-68, 100-89.
