May 14, 2020

NorthPorth itching to unveil Manganti

SEAN Manganti helped the Adamson Falcons become Final Four fixtures in all his three years with the San Marcelino-based squad in the UAAP.

It wasn't his destiny, though, to make the Last Dance or get a shot at ultimate glory that should have raised his value entering the PBA draft.

But NorthPort was only grateful with the fortunes the ball club got on draft day.

"He was on our radar and much to our surprise he was still available when we're to pick at No. 8," said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio.

Having beefed up their frontline and backcourt spots on key transactions from 2018 to 2019, Jarencio was eyeing a wing guy going to the 2019 draft rites.

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He got what he wanted when Columbian Dyip took in Roosevelt Adams, Blackwater tabbed Maurice Shaw, NLEX chose Mike Ayonayon, Alaska Milk drafted Barkley Ebona then Rain or Shine enlisted Adrian Wong, Clint Dolingues and Prince Rivero.

"Swak naiwan para sa amin si Sean Manganti. Tamang-tama si Sean for the three-spot. Biglang lumalim ang wing rotation namin," said Jarencio.

At his disposal now at No. 3 and No. 4 are 2019 Mythical Five awardee Sean Anthony, longtime Gilas cadet Kevin Ferrer and Manganti.

The Batang Pier have no complaint either on whom they got in the second round - playmaker Renzo Subido.

Jarencio was the one who recruited Subido at UST. Jarencio wasn't able to coach the 5-foot-9 guard, though, as he moved up to the pros to handle the Batang Pier.

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In Manganti, Jarencio has a guy who carved a niche as a Falcon with solid career averages of 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals.

But again, he missed a finale that should have jacked up his stocks.

Heartbreaker was bungling their No. 2 seeding in 2019 with a pair of two-point losses to the UP Maroons.

What he missed as a UAAP player is something he's now targeting as a pro. (SB)