It’s been more than a decade since Jerrick Ahanmisi played alongside his older brother, Maverick, back when they were still playing for their respective schools.
“As far as I remember, it was more like a pick up game. I joined his group of college teammates and I was more like a kid back then,” said the younger Ahanmisi in an interview with Pinoystep.com. “Each time you play with your brother, it’s always a great moment. Now, it’s about to happen. It’s more like a dream come true.”
Jerrick looks forward to team up with Maverick and take the Terrafirma Dyip in cruise control this conference.
The elder Ahanmisi was traded by Barangay Ginebra to the Dyip along with Aljon Mariano in exchange for Terrafirma’s first round pick next season.
For Jerrick, it’s an opportunity he wants to relish and he believes his elder brother has found a right team in Terrafirma where he has chance to showcase his full potential.
“That’s what every player needed — to be given the opportunity — and with Terrafirma, I think he’ll get more minutes, more opportunity. The good thing is, we can play together at the same time and if that happens, that would certainly be a dream-come-true moment for me,” added Jerrick.
In Terrafirma’s only win in four starts this early part of the season, the younger Ahanmisi flourished by delivering key baskets as the Dyip completed a 97-91 upset win over the NLEX Road Warriors last October 12. He knocked in 14 points to complement rookie JM Bravo’s defining moment of his young PBA career.
Jerrick believes as soon as his brother gets fully recovered from his toe injury, he’ll be able to supplant the steady veteran presence the Dyip needs.
An NCAA Division 1 player who played for the University of Minnesota Gophers coached then by Richard Pitino, son of the great Rick Pitino, the 34-year-old Ahanmisi was also a member of the last Rain or Shine Elasto Painters squad that won a championship in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
His best average came during the 2022-2023 season where he averaged 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.8 assists while playing for the Converge FiberXers. His productive season caught the fancy of Barangay Ginebra, which acquired him and there, the veteran guard also made an impact where he averaged 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
