Jerrick Ahanmisi finally flipped the script after being on the other end of the first two four-point shots ever made in an official PBA game.
The Magnolia gunner buried all three of his field goals from 27 feet out and finished with 14 points to help his side book its first win of the Season 49 Governors’ Cup by pulling off an escape act against Converge.
“I’m just glad that my teammates trusted me and my coaches trusted me to be able to have the confidence to take those kinds of shots,” he said moments after the 105-93 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, Friday night.
It was, without a doubt, mission accomplished for Ahanmisi to nail that many fours after Chris Banchero and Jolo Mendoza shot their quadruples over him during their season-opening meeting versus Meralco last August 18.
And of all people, it was his wife who made him aware of those, which powered him to perform the way he did versus the FiberXers.
“It was my wife who told me that it was kind of embarrassing in a way to be on… there’s like a cover of a magazine I’m in front of, but I’m not the one shooting the ball,” shared Ahanmisi with a wide smile.
“She definitely made it apparent to me that I need to come into the next game and kind of show out and come back at whatever happened to me in the first game,” the former Adamson University star added.
It was his best game since a 13-point showing against NorthPort in the 2024 Philippine Cup last April and none other Paul Lee couldn’t be any prouder.
The Magnolia main man has been a witness to the commitment of the 26-year-old, and he’s glad to see him reap the benefits of the work he’s putting in.
“Not gonna lie, sobrang sipag nung bata,” lauded Lee, who also had 14 markers on 4-of-6 shooting in the win. “We saw the results. Hands down dun sa bata.
“Kasi, coming from a season na hindi talaga siya nagagamit, nandun siya sa court every morning, pumupunta, ginagawa ‘yung routine niya. Lahat ng hard work na ginagawa niya, nagpe-pay off ngayon. Sobrang proud ako kay Jerrick.”
Ahanmisi, for his part, hopes that this will be that season he’s been raring for since entering the league as the 10th overall pick of the 2021 Draft.
“The past couple of years, I’ve been putting in work for how long I can even remember,” said the younger brother of Ginebra’s Maverick.
“Before practice and after practice, whether I play a lot or not, I try to increase and improve my game every single day,” furthered the 6-foot-1 combo guard.
“Hopefully, the season will be the season for me.”
