MANILA — Akari-Adamson pulled away in the fourth quarter after mauling Perpetual Help, 101-83, in their PBA D-League Aspirants Cup clash at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday.
Anchored upon the hot shooting of Egie Mojica and Jerome Lastimosa, the Soaring Falcons outscored the Altas, 31-16, in the final frame to complete the rout.
“We became aggressive. We’re too lax early on,” said Akari-Adamson coach Franz Pumaren, pertaining to his team’s topsy-turvy performance in the first three quarters.
Mojica, who made all of his three triples in the fourth period, finished with 15 points behind Papi Sarr’s 16 for Akari-Adamson, which at 8-2, can claim an outright semifinals seat with a win against another NCAA team, JRU, on April 7.
Lastimosa, who had eight points in the fourth, had 14 of his own along with Jerrick Ahanmisi and Sean Manganti.
Edgar Charcos led Perpetual Help with 22 points and 10 assists.
Box 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 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. (Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA)
