PASIG--Jerie Pingoy picked the perfect time to wax hot as he drained the game-clinching triples in the last two minutes and power Akari-Adamson to an 89-79 victory over Batangas-EAC in the 2018 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup Thursday at Ynares Sports Arena.
Showing that he also can stroke it from the outside, the former UAAP Juniors MVP went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, three of which coming in the last 2:03 to drop a game-high 23 points, eight assists, four rebounds, and three steals for the Falcons.
His flurry from downtown broke the 78-all deadlock in the final three minutes as Akari-Adamson suddenly took the commanding 87-79 advantage with 55.8 seconds on the clock.
“That’s an advantage of Pingoy. He’s willing to take the big shots,” said coach Franz Pumaren as the Falcons have now won back-to-back games to claim solo second at 6-2.
Jerrick Ahanmisi remained lethal from downtown as he shot 3-of-6 from threes to wound up with 16 markers and three boards in the win.
Jerom Lastimosa contributed 11 points, while Cameroonian slotman Papi Sarr chipped in 10 markers and six rebounds.
Batangas-EAC showed some grit to surprise Akari-Adamson as they even took a 63-58 lead midway in the third quarter before the Falcons rampaged back and set up the close finish.
Cedric de Joya led the skidding Generals with 15 points and four rebounds, while Jerome Garcia got 13 markers and two boards as they fell to a 1-7 record.
The Scores:
AKARI-ADAMSON 89 — Pingoy 23, Ahanmisi 16, Lastimosa 10, Sarr 10, Mojica 7, Camacho 6, Espeleta 6, Manganti 6, Catapusan 2, Lojera 2, Macion 0, Zaldivar 0.
BATANGAS-EAC 79 — De Joya 15, Garcia 13, Ablaza 12, Altamirano 12, Diego 7, E. Mendoza 7, Dela Peña 4, Bautista 2, Maguliano 2, Martin 2, Tampoc 2, J. Mendoza 1, Corilla 0.
Quarters: 26-27, 51-47, 66-64, 89-79
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