Push Admin

'UP killer' Manganti commends Maroons: 'Gotta give it to them'

Article (news)

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/news/11/26/20181126_up.jpg"/><figcaption>Adamson&#x27;s Sean Manganti (1) attacks the defense of UP&#x27;s Paul Desiderio. Josh Albelda, <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Sean Manganti came oh-so-close to once again breaking the hearts of the Fighting Maroons and the entire University of the Philippines (UP) community on Saturday.The Adamson University forward scored 10 points in the fourth quarter of their UAAP Season 81 Final 4 game, including two clutch free throws with just three seconds left to tie the game at 71.This time, however, it was UP that stunned Manganti and the Soaring Falcons. Bright Akhuetie nailed the game-winning lay-up with just 2.6 seconds left, and JanJan Jaboneta blocked Jonathan Espeleta&#x27;s three-pointer at the buzzer to seal their 73-71 triumph.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/24/18/uaap-final-4-up-escape-adamson-to-force-decider">FULL STORY: Dream season goes on, as UP tops Adamson to force decider</a></li></ul>It was the first time that UP had beaten Adamson since the second round of UAAP Season 79. It could not have come at a better time, as the Fighting Maroons forced a do-or-die game for the second and last spot in the best-of-3 finals.Manganti, for his part, could only tip his cap to the UP team.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/10/28/uaap-sean-manganti-up-killer-49010">READ: Sean Manganti, the UP killer</a></li></ul>&quot;You know, we&#x27;re disappointed,&quot; said the Adamson veteran, who struggled for most of the game and only got going in the fourth period.&quot;But you have to give them credit. They came out strong, they had a great game, and they made some clutch baskets,&quot; he added. &quot;So you gotta give it to them, you gotta respect them.&quot;Manganti has made a habit of hitting big shots against UP, starting in Season 80 when he nailed a game-winning putback at the buzzer for a 73-71 triumph over the Fighting Maroons. In their first round encounter of Season 81, he again came up with the game-winner for a 69-68 triumph.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/09/26/18/uaap-deja-vu-sean-manganti-breaks-ups-heart-again">READ: Deja vu? Sean Manganti breaks UP&#x27;s heart again</a></li></ul>He did not hit a buzzer-beater in their second round game, but he did fire up the clutch three-pointer in the final minute that sealed Adamson&#x27;s 80-72 victory.On Saturday, he helped the Falcons come back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter, only to fall short in the end as UP gave Adamson a dose of its own medicine.&quot;They just made a run, and it was a really strong run,&quot; Manganti said. &quot;We didn&#x27;t give up, we held our own, so we came back. But we still lost it.&quot;Manganti was still proud of their effort, noting that they clawed all the way back and even took a late lead in the fourth period, before the Fighting Maroons surged ahead once more.&quot;We commend our team for still playing hard and showing that we can come back even though we were down,&quot; he said. &quot;You know, we just want to stay together. That&#x27;s the good part – you can really see that we never give up, and that&#x27;s really the best part about our team.&quot;&quot;We never give up,&quot; he stressed.Manganti and the Soaring Falcons have one more chance to clinch their first finals appearance since 1992 on Wednesday, when they face off against UP in a do-or-die game.&quot;We need to look at our defensive schemes,&quot; Manganti said when asked what they need to improve on. &quot;We had Bright go for six points, so that&#x27;s a plus side. Papi (Sarr) was doing his job, (but) us guards got killed by Juan (Gomez de Liano) and Paul (Desiderio).&quot;Game time between Adamson and UP is at 3:30 at the Araneta Coliseum.For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com" target="_blank">Sports website.</a>

Sean Manganti came oh-so-close to once again breaking the hearts of the Fighting Maroons and the entire University of the Philippines community on Saturday.

Sean Manganti came oh-so-close to once again breaking the hearts of the Fighting Maroons and the entire University of the Philippines community on Saturday.

'UP killer' Manganti commends Maroons: 'Gotta give it to them'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

'UP killer' Manganti commends Maroons: 'Gotta give it to them'

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 26, 2018 04:47 PM PHT

|

Updated November 29, 2018 01:50 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

basketball

UP Fighting Maroons

Adamson Falcons

Sean Manganti

UP-Ateneo

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.