Just like the majority of the Adamson community, Jerrick Ahanmisi was left with little to no words after the Soaring Falcons’ promising season came to a heartbreaking end at the hands of an unlikely opponent.
It was 2011 all over again. The Soaring Falcons blew their twice-to-beat advantage, this time to the UP Fighting Maroons, 87-89, in their knockout semis match, Wednesday night at a packed SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“We lost. There’s nothing I can really say,” said Ahanmisi.
Just like in their first meeting last Saturday, the Soaring Falcons gave themselves a great chance of downing the Fighting Maroons. They led by six points, 84-78, with 2:40 remaining in overtime.
But also just like last Saturday, Adamson blew their lead as the cagers from Diliman clawed their way back. Down by one, Paul Desiderio made a booming triple from the wing to give the Fighting Maroons an 87-85 edge with just 41.3 seconds to go.
Jerom Lastimosa was able to tie the game up by sinking both of his pressure-packed free throws, but Desiderio came in clutch yet again. The UP icon sank a fadeaway jumper over Sean Manganti with six ticks left to punch the win.
“Paul hit the shot. That’s it, we lost,” said Ahanmisi, who had 20 points.
The Soaring Falcons’ loss serves as an unfitting exit to graduating players Sean Manganti and Papi Sarr – Sarr has been with the program from its time as one of the league’s doormat teams to now as one of the solid contenders.
This is now the third time since the Final Four era started in 1994 that the San Marcelino-based program has blown a twice-to-beat advantage. And for Ahanmisi, it should help push them to be better next season.
“I guess. I dunno.”
