Sean Manganti went on full hero mode for the 1Bataan Risers during the finale of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 President Cup’s second leg.
Unlike the first leg, however, the versatile 6-foot-5 forward ended up on the losing side this time around.
With 5:11 left in the knockout finals and the Risers down 8-12, Sean Manganti shot a corner deuce. As he touched down, however, his right foot landed squarely on Joshua Munzon’s foot.
Though the pain was unbearable, Manganti did not want to leave his team behind.
“I had pain but there was only like four minutes to go, and it was such a close game – I couldn’t just leave my teammates like that,” recalled Manganti.
“I had to get back.”
Manganti would return two minutes later. And it was as if he was not in pain, as in the first offensive possession in his return, Manganti floored Munzon with an ankle-breaker that led to a stepback jumper to cut Pasig’s lead down to just two.
In the next possession, the former Adamson Soaring Falcon dove for a loose ball that almost saw him hit the LED board at the SM Megamall Events Center.
“All the adrenaline, you can’t really feel it. It hurts though but I had to play through that.”
But the Risers could not overcome the will of the Kings, falling 18-21. And Manganti could not help but be mad about what happened.
“I’m pissed man, I’m pissed.
“You know, I want to rip someone’s head off right now but just trying to stay here in relax. We’ll get them back next weekend,” expressed the 24-year-old, who did not want to drop names.
Come the third leg on Friday at the SM Fairview Events Center, Manganti and the Risers have no plans to let up again.
“I’m never going to forget this feeling. I don’t want to feel this ever again. It’s horrible.”
