It’s a role Maverick Ahanmisi has become so comfortable with.
The veteran gunner showed time and again why he’s become reliable in the endgame, helping Converge take a stunning 106-102 win over San Miguel for its second win in a row in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday night.
He tallied 10 points, none bigger than his floater with 45.1 seconds left that capped off an 11-0 run en route to the 106-100 lead — a run the FiberXers pulled off after allowing their foes to lead by five behind, ironically, an 11-0 spurt also.
“Definitely comfortable,” he said after the match at the Philsports Arena.
Ahanmisi has emerged as one of Converge’s closers since the last Philippine Cup and has continued to do just that in the ongoing mid-season conference just like in their 106-99 escape of Meralco last October 15.
There, the 6-foot-2 combo guard joined hands with Quincy Miller in the crucial five straight points down the stretch, with him nailing the last two of which proved to be the dagger that saved his side from a 22-point meltdown.
It was practically the same scenario against SMB as the two combined for the last four points of the said run to avert another collapse from taking place — Converge led by as much as 17 points in the third canto.
For Ahanmisi, fulfilling that role becomes easier with lots of support.
“I attest that to all my teammates and the coaching staff,” he said.
“I put the work in, but they have a lot of confidence in me. With that confidence comes a lot of responsibility, obviously, but I like the role. And, it makes it easy for me to know that my teammates and my coaches have my back.”
One of those that the former third overall pick is particularly thankful for is no less than head coach Aldin Ayo for his transparency, and being straightforward with what exactly he wants from him: leadership on and off the court.
“Coach Aldin has solidified my role in his system,” he said.
“He needs my leadership, on and off the court, and … he tells me not to hesitate. If that shot’s open and I feel it, I take it. That type of confidence that your coach instills in you, it’s like you have no fear when you’re playing.”
Converge has collected its third win in five outings thus far and Ahanmisi, more than his own performance, is proud with the character his side showed especially against a team as vaunted as San Miguel.
“Honestly we almost lost the game. But a lot of guys played well for us today — Aljun [Melecio], Mike [DiGregorio] came in and were ready to play. That’s just a testament to our team and our character,” said the 31-year-old.
—
The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
