Akari-Adamson claims third straight win

Akari-Adamson sustained its fine form at the expense of Gamboa Coffee Mix, 92-85, yesterday for its third straight win in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Top gunner Jerrick Ahanmisi tallied 18 points while Cameroonian Papi Sarr, veterans Sean Manganti and Siheaping mon Camacho made key plays down the stretch as the Soaring Falcons held off the Coffee Lovers.

Akari-Adamson won its second match in three days, hiking its record to 4-1 for a tie with idle Zark’s Burgers at second spot. Meanwhile, Gamboa saw its two-game run come to a halt for a 2-2 mark.

“Right now, I’m still struggling to find the right combinations,” said Falcons coach Franz Pumaren.

Fil-Am guard Trevis Jackson continued his impressive play for Gamboa Coffee Mix as he poured 12 of his game-high 29 points in the final canto that kept his team within striking distance with five minutes to play.

“I don’t think St. Clare ang kalaban namin. I think si Jackson lang ang kalaban namin,” said Pumaren in jest, praises on the Coffee Lovers guard who scored seven straight points to cut the Falcons’ advantage to 80-76 with 4:56 remaining.

“Jackson carried their whole team. He really played well and he really shot well. I think he’s PBA-ready. He played like a veteran. He’s mature right now unlike some of my other guys.”

The Falcons, however, had enough firepower to neutralize Jackson’s lategame explosion, with Camacho scoring five straight points and Manganti adding three more in a decisive 8-2 push for an 88-78 cushion in the closing 2:41.