3 Fil-Ams create ripple in Aspirants Cup

Three Filipino-Americans hope to build on their solid showing in the PBA D-League in a bid to carve out careers in the country’s national sport.

Cafe France’s Maverick Ahanmisi and Cagayan Valley’s Abel Galliguez and Moala Tautuaa emerged among the early standouts in the Aspirants Cup.

A stocky 6-foot point guard, Ahanmisi proved to be a big boost for the Bakers.

“He’s a very good player, no question about it,” Cafe France coach Egay Macaraya said of his 23-year-old prized rookie.

Ahanmisi, who played limited minutes for University of Minnesota, made the most out of his starring role with the Bakers and highlighted his excellent form in their 82-73 triumph over the MJM M-Builders last Dec. 11.

In that game, Ahanmisi exploded for 31 points, built on four triples and a perfect 7-of-7 clip from the two-point area, while grabbing 10 rebounds.

“Right now, I’m focusing on just helping the team win games,” said Ahanmisi, whose mother Marissa Frankera traces her roots to Alcala, Pangasinan. “My ultimate goal is the PBA.”

Galliguez and Tautuaa also had a string of big outings to help power the Rising Suns to a hot start.

The Rising Suns (7-0) and the Bakers (6-2) round out the early top three. Both squads trail solo leader Hapee (8-0).

Steady in the clutch, Galliguez bailed out the Rising Suns on several occasions.

The 24-year-old Galliguez had one of his notable performances in the Rising Suns’ double overtime triumph over the Bakers, 89-84, where he fired 10 of his team’s 13 points in the second extra period.

Galliguez, whose parents are both Filipinos, also shone in against Cebuana Lhuillier where he shot a game-high 22 points to help the Rising Suns rally from 17 points down for a 79-76 decision.

And even with the arrival of 6-7 Tautuaa, Galliguez, a John Brown University alumnus who grew up in Houston, continued to impress together with Fil-Am teammates Randy Dilay and Alli Austria.

“I like my team—they’re good players and they’re all strong,” said Tautuaa, this season’s No. 1 rookie pick who played in the Asean Basketball League (ABL) before joining Cagayan.

Tautuaa, the Fil-Tongan who grew up in the United States, debuted with 26 points, seven rebounds and three assists in the Rising Suns’ nipping of the Bakers.

“I always step on the court looking for a title,” said Tautuaa, whose mother Romanita Del Valle traces her roots to Taguig and Cabanatuan City. “I don’t see how this is going to be different this time.”