JERRICK AHANMISI tallied 26 points to lead Akari-Adamson University to a 100-89 rout of AMA Online Education on Monday in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League Aspirants’ Cup at Pasig Sports Center.
The sweet-shooting guard capped his impressive shot-making by going 7-of-8 from threes as the Falcons picked up their fifth win in seven outings. Cameroonian big man Papi Sarr also made a huge impact, tallying a double-double with 15 points and 18 rebounds to make up for his absence the previous game.
In the second game, Rod Ebondo scored with 1.1 seconds left to lift Centro Escolar University to a 77-75 over slumping Jose Rizal University (JRU). Ebondo finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds and highlighted his big game by knocking the go-ahead basket as CEU improved to a 5-1 record.
JRU fell to 1-6, joining idle Batanags-Emilio Aguinaldo College in the cellar.
Notwithstanding the lopsided win, Coach Franz Pumaren maintains that the Falcons still have a long way to go to reach the level he desires in preparation for the University Athletic Association of the Philippines season.
“We’re still groping for form. We’re trying to implement new rules, and the boys are still adjusting,” he said.
Akari-Adamson University, led by as much as 13 points, 50-37, late in the first half but had to fend off repeated rallies by the Titans.
AMA pulled within 88-93 on a basket by Jay-R Taganas with 2:25 remaining before Ahanmisi finished the job with a fadeaway jumper and a three-pointer time down to 9.6 seconds.
Robbie Manalang scored 21 points, Carlo Escalambre chipped 14 markers and nine boards, while Mac Andaya contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and as many blocks for AMA, which went down to 1-5.