Ahanmisi rewards Guiao’s confidence in Rain or Shine win over Mahindra
Rain or Shine rookie Maverick Ahanmisi. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Rain or Shine rookie Maverick Ahanmisi accomplished what his head coach Yeng Guiao wanted to achieve heading into the Elasto Painters’ game against the Mahindra Enforcers Sunday.
Guiao’s plan was to give his newcomers more exposure and Ahanmisi rewarded his coach’s confidence with a bounce back game.
The Fil-Nigerian guard scored 11 of his game-high 14 points as the Painters pounded the Enforcers, 108-94, for their second win in as many starts.
“Definitely, it’s better than my first game,” said Ahanmisi, who also contributed five rebounds and two assists
“I’ve gotten the feel for the game a little bit more. Last game, I just had rookie jitters, but this game, I’m more relaxed. So I feel that as the season goes on, I’ll follow the system and know my role.”
The 24-year-old Ahanmisi redeemed himself after only having little to show in his pro debut against Star last Wednesday where he only had three points and two rebounds in nine minutes.
Ahanmisi said Guiao’s unpredictability and coaching style helps him to always be ready for anything.
“Coach Yeng said that he does a different starting five every game, different lineup changes so that everybody’s always ready. Though you’re on the bench, he gives you confidence and you should be ready to play,” he said.
His transition from the D-League to the PBA is also being guided by his veteran teammates.
“It’s a big help that I play under players like Paul (Lee), Chris Tiu, guys who have been in the league for a while and has been successful,” Ahanmisi said. “For me to play under them and teach me a lot, I feel like as the season goes on, it just gets easier for me.”
And with Paul Lee is sidelined with a knee injury and isn’t expected to return until the next several weeks, Ahanmisi will be among the players expected to fill in.
“He’s one of our star players, if not our star player and people ask me all the time if there’s more pressure on my shoulders. But I look at it as a good opportunity for me to showcase what I got,” said the University of Minnesota product.
“I wasn’t expected to be drafted third, but coach Yeng saw something in me so I have to prove myself.”
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