The future of the Adamson University basketball program were in full display Sunday afternoon as rookies Jerrick Ahanmisi and Robbie Manalang led the Soaring Falcons’ romping of the UP Fighting Maroons.
After years of offensive futility, the Adamson offense was turbo-charged, scoring 104 points in the game. 18 year old winger Ahanmisi scored a game-high 28 points in the game on an excellent 10-of-11 shooting clip, 6-for-7 from downtown. 23 year old floor general Manalang added 16 points and dished out nine dimes.
“It’s a blessing that I get to play in front of the fans and play for the team and my coaches,” Ahanmisi said.
“It’s a lot of fun. It’s been everything I wanted to do, to play basketball for Adamson,” Manalang added. “It’s great to come out with a victory today.”
The Adamson point guard never entertained the thought of becoming a student-athlete when he was in Orange County, California he said.
“I was just a student in the US, not a player,” he shared. “There’s a friend of mine that plays over and he gave me the idea of playing basketball.”
“His name is Jojo Trinidad from FEU, we’ve been friends since way, way before.”
Ahanmisi’s journey to Adamson was different as he was recruited by Franz Pumaren after trying out with NU and Ateneo.
“I am lucky to have recruited him,” Pumaren said about Ahanmisi.
Having a tough head coach in Pumaren and his staff, both Manalang and Ahanmisi feel fortunate to learn from them.
“A lot different. Coach Mike [Fermin] was a players coach while coach Franz [Pumaren] is very tough,” Manalang shared. “I like it alot because it made me grow and mature as a player.”
“I’m just doing whatever my coaches tell me to do. Whatever they tell me to do, that’s the role I’m going to play for my team,” Ahanmisi remarked.
Moving forward, both rookies just want to improve as the season progresses.
“Just being a leader out there and shooting the ball well. I need to get my guys to the right position to be successful. That’s about it. Improving every game,” Manalang said.
Ahanmisi likewise shared the same sentiments in saying, “I’m happy that it paid off and I’m just looking forward to the next games. I’m just gonna play as hard as I can every game.”
“But anything short of a Final Four appearance will be disappointing,” Manalang closed.
