A Filipino-Nigerian kid from Los Angeles, California once dreamed of earing the Philippine jersey someday and fight for the nation’s pride.
That childhood dream of PBA rising star Maverick Ahanmisi is turning into reality as he gets to represent the men’s national basketball team for the first time in the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia set to open next week.
As part of the Final 12 roster that will see action in the Asiad, Ahanmisi is honored and excited to live his dream.
“It’s a blessing. I’m really happy that I’m getting this opportunity. It’s something I’ve dreamed of as a kid to represent the country and now that I’m here, definitely gonna take the chance to not let this opportunity slip,” the Rain or Shine guard said.
“I’m just happy that I was chosen as one of the selected few to get to represent the country. So I’m real humbled, I’m gonna wear this jersey in my chest and hopefully represent country well,” he added.
The third overall pick of Rain or Shine in the 2015 PBA draft is set to reunite with former coach Yeng Guiao and ex-teammate Paul Lee while joining current Elastopainters coach Caloy Garcia as well as James Yap, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, Beau Belga and Raymond Almazan.
“It’s fun, it’s fun. I think all of Rain or Shine players missed coach Yeng, even coach Caloy. You can see their camaraderie together, real loyal to one another,” said the 27-year-old, who won the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title under Guiao. “I think the chemistry is already there, it’s been fun and it’s gonna be a fun experience.”
As a first-timer in the national team, Ahanmisi vowed to follow the lead of his coaches and veteran teammates.
“It’s a team sport obviously and it’s my first time representing the country and there’s a lot of vets here like Paul, Gabe, James, Beau and so on,” he said.
“I’m just gonna follow their lead and do what I can to help the team try to win whether that be making wide-open shots, giving assists, diving for loose balls whatever I could do to try to help the team win.”
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