Akari-Adamson University survived repeated rallies by Gamboa Coffee Mix-St. Clare to score a 92-85 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Jerrick Ahanmisi paced the Falcons with 18 points that went with his six assists and three rebounds, while Cameroonian big man Papi Sarr contributed 16 points and eight boards as the Falcons rolled to their third straight victory.
Sean Manganti also had a solid game with 13 points, five rebounds and four assists, and so did Jerie Pingoy, who had 11 points, four boards and four assists for the Falcons, who improved to 4-1 won-lost record.
“I don’t think na ang kalaban namin is St. Clare. Ang kalaban namin si [Trevis] Jackson,” remarked Akari-Adamson University Coach Franz Pumaren, referring to Gamboa-St. Clare’s Fil-Am guard, who unloaded 12 of his 29 points in the fourth period.
The Falcons had a tough time containing Jackson, who kept the Coffee Lovers in the game and led their fight back from 10 points down with 2:41 remaining.
Gamboa-St. Clare cut the deficit to just four, 89-85, before Manganti and Sarr put the game away.
The game featured 19 lead changes and seven deadlocks. Akari-Adamson University had a 38-16 advantage on bench points and had a 28-18 lead on fastbreak points.
“Right now, I’m still struggling to find the right combinations. I think we’re the only team who are using all of our players from the bench but, again, we’re here to develop our players,” Pumaren said.
Aris Dionisio tallied 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Coffee Lovers, who fell to 2-2.