Early D-League shocker as Akari-Adamson stuns Marinero

Jerrick Ahanmisi saved the day for the Soaring Falcons. PBA Media Bureau
By Dugout Philippines

PASIG--Jerrick Ahanmisi made a key steal in the closing seconds to lift Akari-Adamson to a thrilling 80-75 win against Marinerong Pilipino in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants' Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena on Thursday.

The younger brother of Rain or Shine playmaker Maverick secured the game-swinging steal then dished off to Simon Camacho that led to a three-point play and the Falcons stormed ahead to stay, 78-75, with 10.9 seconds left.

Renzo Subido went for the potential tying-three in the next play, but his shot went way short before Ahanmisi sealed the game with a pair of free throws.

Ahanmisi shot 4-of-8 from beyond the arc and finished with 23 points for Akari-Adamson. He also had five rebounds and four assists.

Sean Manganti contributed 13 markers, three boards, two assists, and two blocks, while Jerom Lastimosa got nine points for the debuting Falcons.

"I don't know if they underestimated us because we're a college team," remarked coach Franz Pumaren of the upset, "but we're here to prove something and show that we can compete."

Ahanmisi's stellar sniping accounted for half of Akari-Adamson's long bombs, as it went 8-of-18 from downtown.

Billy Robles carried Marinerong Pilipino (1-1) with 13 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Kyle Toth got 11 markers, on a flawless 3-of-3 shooting from threes, and four boards in the defeat.

The Scores:

AKARI-ADAMSON 80 -- Ahanmisi 23, Manganti 13, Lastimosa 9, Catapusan 8, Mojica 7, Hill 6, Buenaventura 4, Sarr 4, Camacho 3, Longalong 3, Bernardo 0, Lojera 0, Macion 0

MARINERONG PILIPINO 75 -- Robles 13, Toth 11, Subido 9, Terso 9, Paredes 8, Tratter 8, Ayonayon 4, Banal 4, Babilonia 3, Lopez 2, Pasaol 2, Tolentino 2, Iñigo 0, Olivares 0

Quarters: 19-26, 42-48, 63-65, 80-75

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