Sometimes, all a player needs is a chance. Look no further than in the case of Jerrick Ahanmisi for proof. The former Adamson Soaring Falcon toiled at the deep end of the Magnolia Hotshots bench for years. Then, he got traded to the Terrafirma Dyip for Javi Gomez de Liaño in a deal widely panned as one-sided in favor of Magnolia.
But a funny thing happened. Ahanmisi rose like a falcon for Terrafirma. Almost right away, the 6-foot-1 Fil-Nigerian showcased his sweet shooting—something he has always been known for in his years here on local shores. He also showed he was more than just a shooter; he showed he has game. Handed the keys to the Dyip, Ahanmisi responded by unleashing the full breadth of his game, which for so long was kept untapped in Magnolia.
In his short stint for Terrafirma so far, Ahanmisi has shown above-average playmaking, highlighted by a seemingly surprising ability to get to the rim and finish. He has also proven to be a decent and willing defender, dispelling a previous misconception that he isn’t playing for the Hotshots because he’s a liability on that end of the ball.
Then again, no one really knew because the man hardly played for Magnolia. Now, Ahanmisi is playing big, meaningful minutes for Terrafirma, and he’s definitely showing he’s more than a shooter.
