Barangay Ginebra San Miguel boosted its backcourt as it landed Maverick Ahanmisi for Season 48 of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Kings coach Tim Cone said the 32-year-old Ahanmisi will be a great addition due to the uncertainty surrounding star playmaker LA Tenorio and Jeremiah Gray in the Commissioner’s Cup starting 5 November.
Tenorio is undergoing cancer treatment while Gray tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the PBA On Tour last August.
With Tenorio and Gray doubtful, the Kings will have to bank on reigning Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson, Stanley Pringle and Nard Pinto in the backcourt.
Reports have it that Ahanmisi already signed a three-year maximum contract with the Kings.
“He was a great fit with the loss of Miah (Gray) and uncertainty of LA at this point,” Cone, who is busy preparing Gilas Pilipinas for the 19th Asian Games, said in a report.
“He seemed extremely excited about joining Ginebra.”
Ahanmisi is coming off his finest season, averaging 13.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.2 steals in 38 games to help Converge reach the playoffs of Philippine Cup, Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup.
His brightest moment came in the season-ending Governors’ Cup when he averaged an impressive 19.9 points, 3.1 assists and 1.2 steals.
He, however, failed to reach an agreement with the FiberXers until his contract expired on 7 June.
Cone said he is looking forward to having Ahanmisi as part of his triple threat in the backcourt.
“We look forward to the trio of Scottie, Stanley and Maverick playing together.”
