Ginebra head coach Tim Cone stated that Maverick Ahanmisi’s arrival with the Barangay could not have come at a more opportune time.
The Kings will be without the services of Jeremiah Gray and LA Tenorio for the foreseeable future, emphasizing the significance of the veteran combo guard’s recent signing of a three-year max contract.
Tenorio had just completed his chemotherapy sessions, while Gray has been ruled out of the next PBA season due to a gruesome injury suffered during the On Tour.
“It’s good timing for us,” said the 25-time titlist moments after the Gilas press conference at the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City on Tuesday.
Ahanmisi has been the talk of the town since Tiebreaker Times broke the news last Sunday that he joined Ginebra as an unrestricted free agent.
This development drew mixed reactions from fans and pundits alike. However, there is no denying that his arrival has given the crowd darlings a massive boost to a backcourt that already features Scottie Thompson and Stanley Pringle.
(C) PBA Images
Cone, needless to say, is excited to see how the eight-year pro from the University of Minnesota will impact the Barangay.
“I think he’s going to be a great pairing with Scottie and Stanley.
“The three of them can rotate between off-guard and two-guard. He’s a two-way player who loves to play defense, so he’s going to fit in exactly with what we do,” he said.
What makes Cone even more excited is the potential for building a strong relationship with Ahanmisi and the team. Ahanmisi is coming off his best season, averaging 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in Season 47 with the FiberXers.
“Maverick is a stud,” he said. “We all saw his performance when he played with Converge and Alaska. He just kept improving.
“He had a strong desire to play with Ginebra, and when you have that kind of desire, you’ll find a way,” added the 65-year-old bench tactician.
“We pursued him, and he pursued us, which is always great. That’s when you develop really great relationships when both sides are equally interested.”
