This time, Ahanmisi makes sure he is cover story for the right reason

Jerrick Ahanmisi —PBA IMAGES

Last Sunday, Magnolia’s Jerrick Ahanmisi found himself forever etched in the PBA’s history books—right at the bottom of the page, as a footnote.

The Hotshots guard was on the other end of the league’s first-ever four-point field goal which Meralco counterpart Chris Banchero hit early in the second period of the PBA’s season-opening revelries at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

As if the moment was not upsetting enough, Ahanmisi also was the defender of the second quad-shot that Jolo Mendoza nailed later in the game.

“It was my wife who told me that it was kind of embarrassing [in a] way—to be on like, a cover of a magazine, and I’m out in front but I’m not the one shooting the ball,” he told reporters Friday night.

That was the same night he corrected his place in history.

Ahanmisi hit three four-pointers in the Hotshots’ 105-93 rebound victory over Converge, becoming the early leader among locals for most quad-shots made thus far in the PBA’s 49th season. His output is matched only by Scotty Hopson, the FiberXers’ import who lit Terrafirma up last Wednesday.

“[My wife] definitely made it apparent to me that I needed to come into the next game and show out and come back after whatever happened to me in the first game,” he shared, all flustered.

Ahanmisi ultimately had 14 points, his big outing greasing Magnolia’s entry into the win column which also put the club alongside Converge and NorthPort for a share of Group A’s second spot currently being led by traditional powerhouse TNT.

Loaded backcourt

The former Adamson ace, who was selected by the Magnolia franchise 10th overall during the virtual 2020 Rookie Draft, said his breakout game is the product of being patient all these years, and he is hoping such a night heralds good tidings for him.

“I’ve been putting in work for how long I can even remember. Before practice and after practice, whether I play a lot or not, I try to increase and improve my game every single day,” he said. “Hopefully, this season will be the season for me.”

In his young professional career, Ahanmisi has been hardly the collegiate star that he was, having to earn his stripes behind a loaded Magnolia backcourt that features the likes of Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and until the end of last season, Jio Jalalon.

“I’m just glad that my teammates and my coaches trusted me to be able to have the confidence to take those kinds of shots,” Ahanmisi said.

“They’ve been really supportive of my game and just giving me the confidence to take the shots that I took today. Hopefully, I’ll be able to follow it up in the coming games.” INQ