CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur – Jerrick Ahanmisi turned emotional after winning two skills challenge titles in one night on Friday at the PBA All-Star Weekend.
The Terrafirma guard capped a memorable All-Star Weekend for him by bagging a first career PBA Three-Point Shootout title by overcoming Marcio Lassiter of San Miguel, 30-25, in a thrilling finale at the Candon City Arena.
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“These are just a product of hard work every single day,” said the Terrafirma guard, pointing upwards an wiping away tears as he receives the Shootout title to go with his Obstacle Challenge plaque won earlier in the day.
“The things that people don’t see, the people that don’t see on camera, the things that people don’t see when they are watching practices or watching games, this is what this is for, and also building my family with my wife.”
“This is all just hardwork,” Ahanmisi added.
The twin titles should come as both validation and confidence boost for the younger brother of Maverick Ahanmisi. He was highly regarded coming in from an outstanding college career at Adamson but was unable to break through in four seasons at Magnolia before he was traded to the Dyip last season.
“I was just thanking God,” said Ahanmisi. “I was just thanking Him for everything that He's been doing for me in my life and for my family as well, and I can't thank Him enough for the hard work that I've been putting in and just for the family that I have.”
The Terrafirma sharpshooter said competing in the Obstacle Challenge actually helped him get his rhythm. He also fought fatigue by noticeably seating every chancehe got as he waited for his turn during the Three-Point shootout.
“I wasn't really saving my legs, but when I did the skills challenge first, it helped me that I sat down first so I just did a routine. It was just like a routine, so what I did worked for me and it helped me out,” said Ahanmisi.
The 28-year-old Ahanmisi said it was an honor sharing the shootout stage with Lassiter, who holds the PBA record for most threes made in a career.
“I look up to Marcio all the time. Ever since I came into the PBA or even before I came into the PBA, I looked up to him as a shooter, as a role model, and just to be able to show everybody that I could do what he can do as well is just a blessing from God. It really is,” Ahanmisi said.
Ahanmisi’s victories came days before Terrafirma’s debut inthe Commissioner’s Cup conference against Titan Ultra on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Ahanmisi said he is more determined to elevate his game.
“I think it's going to help me out a lot, but the only way I'm going to be able to play as good as I did here is if I keep working hard every day,” said Ahanmisi. “If I don't do that, if I lose consistency, if I lose discipline in my work, then this conference is not going to be the same as the other ones."
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