Akari Adamson thwarts Perpetual, nears D-League semis berth

Games Monday

(Ynares Sports Arena, Pasig)

1 p.m. – Batangas-EAC vs Che’Lu Bar and Grill-San Sebastian

3 p.m. – AMA Online Education vs JRU

MANILA, Philippines – Akari-Adamson unleashed a huge fourth quarter run to turn back University Perpetual Help System Dalta, 101-83, on Thursday to move a step closer to clinching a semifinals seat in the PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Up by just three points entering the final canto, Egie Boy Mojica poured nine of his 15 points in the period to spark a big run that saw them outscoring the Frankie Lim-mentored Altas in the payoff period, 31-16, and snaring their eighth win against two defeats.

Akari-Adamson also moved into a tie for first place with Centro Escolar-U with 8-2 (win-loss) records, or half a point ahead Marinerong Pilipino with a 7-2 card.

The Falcons could clinch one of the two outright slots to the semis if they could hurdle the already-ran Jose Rizal U Bombers in their final elimination round game on April 5.

The Altas absorbed their sixth defeat against three wins.

Papi Sarr led his team with 16 points while Sean Manganti flirted with a triple-double effort before finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

But it was Mojica who hit the shots when it mattered most and unloaded three booming triples that sealed the deal for the Falcons.

“We just played more aggressive in the fourth quarter after playing relax in the first three quarters,” said Akari-Adamson coach Franz Pumaren.

Pumaren said they will use the next two weeks to prepare for its important duel with a JRU, a team with nothing to lose but everything to gain.

“We’ve been stressing to the players that each game is important for us. I will lie to you if I say we don’t one to finish in the top two because we do,” said Pumaren. “But we have to really prepare because it’s always hard to play a team already out of the playoffs because they always play for pride.”

Edgar Charcos led the Altas with 22 points, 10 assists, and two rebounds, most of which came in the third quarter when they fought back from a double-digit deficit at halftime.

Perpetual Help, however, lost steam in the end.

The scores:

AKARI-ADAMSON 101 — Sarr 16, Mojica 15, Ahanmisi 14, Lastimosa 14, Manganti 14, Catapusan 8, Espeleta 7, Macion 6, Camacho 5, Bernardo 2, Lojera 0, Longalong 0, Zaldivar 0.

PERPETUAL Help 83 — Charcos 22, Aurin 15, Eze 15, Coronel 11, Tamayo 7, Mangalino 3, Precillas 3, Villanueva 3, Pasia 2, Peralta 2, Pido 0, Tiburcio 0.

Quarterscores: 22-20, 50-39, 70-67, 101-83.