It was not the climax to his collegiate career that Sean Manganti wanted.
Manganti’s three-year stint with Adamson ended bitterly. The Soaring Falcons absorbed a tight 87-89 loss to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in their knockout semis match, Wednesday at a packed SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The odds had been in the Soaring Falcons’ side initially. They entered the Final Four with a twice-to-beat advantage, only to watch the Fighting Maroons – led by rising star Juan Gomez de Liano and super senior Paul Desiderio – blow it up.
Moreover, it erased Adamson’s promising season, since they had entered the semifinals with a win-once edge – the first time the team were armed thus since 2011.
Things were tougher for the 6-foot-5 Manganti since his “Maroon-Killer” alter ego did not come into play in this semis series, especially in the knockout match that had been witnessed by nearly 21,000 people.
Manganti – who had 15 points on 6-of-17 shooting back in their first meeting last Saturday – was limited to just six points, five boards, and three assists. Moreover, he was hounded by foul trouble – he already had three fouls in the first half.
But as much as the end was painful, the 24-year-old still hopes that the Adamson faithful will remember him as a winner.
“I just hope I can be remembered as one that left it all on the floor; one that gave his life to Adamson, one that gave his heart to Adamson, and sacrificed everything for Adamson no matter what,” said the Fil-American forward.
“And hopefully as a winner and a competitor.”
“I think he really blossomed to an all-around player,” lauded Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren. “When I started with Adamson, there are certain things we needed to polish with his game. He accepted his role and the situation.”
“I guess that’s the testament of how he played this year.”
Now that he’s heading for the exit doors, the soft-spoken Manganti expressed his gratitude to the university based in San Marcelino for helping him become the Sean Manganti that many now know.
“I love you forever. That’s all I can keep saying. I love Adamson forever.
“They’ll always be a big part of me. They are the reason who I am today, they have shaped me into the man I am today. And I hope the feeling is mutual,” expressed Manganti, who moved from Temacula, California to San Marcelino, Manila four years ago.
After Wednesday, Manganti will be watching the program from afar. And as he does, he hopes that some players will go on to take his spot and deliver, to keep Adamson’s status as one of the contenders in the next seasons.
“I expect them to be in the same place,” said Manganti, who’ll leave with norms of 14.3 points, 4.7 boards, and 2.4 dimes. “I expect certain guys to step up, to take my role. I’m expecting Jonathan Espeleta and Simon Camacho to step up.
“And I think it will be the same strong team.”
