NOT even a sprained ankle could stop Sean Manganti for fighting for 1Bataan in the second leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President's Cup on Sunday.
The former Adamson forward injured his right ankle after going for a long bomb and landed on Joshua Munzon's foot during the heated Finals clash between the Risers and Pasig Grindhouse Kings.
Manganti had to be subbed out with 5:11 remaining as his side stared at a 12-6 deficit.
But less than a minute later, the high-flying forward went back in and tried his earnest to help the first leg champions score a repeat.
"I had pain, but there was only like four minutes to go and it was such a close game. All the adrenaline, you can't really feel it," he said. "It hurts but I had to play through that. I couldn't just leave my teammates like that. I had to get back."
The valiant showing was an admirable sight, one which earned Manganti tons of applause from the packed crowd at SM Megamall Events Center.
And despite the pain, he still hit a jawdropping stepback jumper that put the Risers up, 16-14 with 3:28 to play.
Unfortunately, 1Bataan drew the short end of the stick, surrendering the second leg championship to Pasig Grindhouse, 21-18.
Manganti only had three points in the losing cause, yet he felt he could've contributed more had he avoided injury.
"I'm pissed man. I'm pissed. You know, I want to rip someone's head off right now but I'm just trying to stay here and relax," he said, not naming names yet his anger is obviously directed to the opposing side.
The 24-year-old is also using this bridesmaid finish as a fuel for him and the rest of the Risers to come back stronger for the next legs.
"I'm never going to forget this feeling. I don't want to feel this ever again. It's horrible," he said. "We'll get them back next weekend."
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