To prove that he belongs.
That, according to Phoenix Super LPG head coach Topex Robinson, has been the main objective of Sean Manganti ever since he arrived on the team after being traded by NorthPort as part of a multi-player deal last month.
“The moment he got here, he wanted to prove his worth. He had a chance with NorthPort and he just wanna rub off the opportunity,” the young bench tactician said.
“He just wants to belong in the PBA, and he will do his best.”
The 27-year-old was actually the eighth overall pick of the Batang Pier in the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft. But, he was no longer part of the regular lineup after the Clark bubble. He got assigned to the team bound for the 3×3 inaugurals.
That didn’t even materialize, either. When NorthPort offered Sean Anthony for Vic Manuel and Michael Calisaan, Phoenix countered and asked for Manganti to be included. Together with future picks, the deal pushed through.
“Our assistant coach, Jon Jacinto, told me about Sean Manganti. He told me that Sean Manganti [was] on the 3×3 so we tried to pursue him,” recalled Robinson of the trade, which was consummated early November.
Manganti played his second game with his new team on Saturday. And that proved to be the window to show that he, indeed, belongs.
The Adamson product was fielded as a starter and capitalized on the opportunity. He produced 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep, to help lead the Fuel Masters to a 110-99 win over Blackwater.
He helped break the game wide open, first by starting the final quarter with back-to-back buckets. And a few moments later, three free throws of his gave his side a 90-76 lead as they rolled to a 2-0 start in the Governors’ Cup.
Robinson couldn’t be any more satisfied.
“He complements our starters, he plays well, he jels well with the team,” he said. “And ‘yung depensa niya, I guess what he learned from Adamson in Coach Franz [Pumaren], he’s bringing it here, his energy.”
