MANILA -- Jerrick Ahanmisi came out with a key steal and delivered the most crucial non-scoring moves to lift Akari-Adamson to an 80-75 stunner over Marinerong Pilipino in the main game of the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup triple-header at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig on Thursday night.
Ahanmisi, the younger brother of Rain Or Shine player Maverick, finished with 23 points on 4-of-8 shooting from deep, but it was a steal and assist down the stretch that mattered a lot to the Soaring Falcons.
Ahanmisi stole the ball and found Simon Camacho for the go-ahead three-point play with 10.9 seconds left to put Akari-Adamson up, 78-75.
Renzo Subido tried to save Marinero's cause, but his three-point try clanked, and Ahanmisi sealed the win with two charities.
"I don't know if they underestimated us because we're a college team," said Coach Franz Pumaren on the upset, "but we're here to prove something and show that we can compete."
Ahanmisi also had five rebounds and four assists.
Sean Manganti added 13 markers, three boards, two assists, and two blocks, while Jerom Lastimosa had nine points of his own.
Billy Robles paced Marinero with 13 points, seven boards, three dimes, three steals, and two blocks.
Box 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
Quarterscores: 19-26, 42-48, 63-65, 80-75 (PNA)
