He knows the pressure is on to deliver for a championship-caliber team.
It is official: Maverick Ahanmisi is now a kabarangay.
The 6-foot-2 guard was formally introduced as the newest member of the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in a video posted on the team’s official Instagram account on Thursday night.
Die-hard fans of the most popular team in the Philippines expect nothing less than championships, and Ahanmisi is well aware of the high expectations.
“I promise I will give my 100% effort every game. I understand that the winning tradition here is something you guys take super seriously, so I will try my very best to help what is already a great team become better,” Ahanmisi vowed. “And sana maging champion ulit tayo.”
Ahanmisi's addition will only give more depth to Barangay Ginebra. The Filipino-American playmaker had a breakout campaign in the PBA last season with the Converge FiberXers.
Ahanmisi joining Team NSD put an end to an offseason of speculations that included a rumored reunion with Yeng Guiao and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
He also announced in the introductory video that he will be wearing jersey number 30 instead of his usual 13 “for obvious reasons.” Barangay Ginebra fans should know: Because number 13 was worn by former PBA MVP and six-time champion Jayjay Helterbrand, who spent his entire 15-year career with the franchise.
To be clear, nothing is preventing Ahanmisi from donning number 13, but it appears he has decided to honor the legendary guard.
Ahanmisi is a champion himself, having won one with Rain or Shine in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup. He will have a good chance of adding more to the collection with Barangay Ginebra, a team that has won seven titles over the past seven seasons.
If he plays anywhere near the level he played at last season, then those championships might come sooner rather than later.
(PM)