Maverick Ahanmisi Leads Ginebra to PBA Finals Showdown

Maverick Ahanmisi Returns to PBA Finals After Eight Years

Fil-Am guard Maverick Ahanmisi is back in the PBA finals, aiming for a championship with Barangay Ginebra. The Kings have set up a best-of-seven showdown with TNT for the Governors Cup crown.

Ahanmisi was instrumental in Ginebra’s return to the finals, scoring a team-high 25 points in their 102-99 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 of the semifinals. The game, held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, saw a packed crowd cheering on.

Ahanmisi’s performance included shooting 3-of-6 from the three-point line and scoring 11 points in the second quarter, helping Ginebra stay competitive in the first half. Justine Brownlee and Japeth Aguilar then led the Kings to secure the game and the series, 4-2.

The finals series will begin on Sunday, October 27, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

This marks Ahanmisi’s first finals appearance with Barangay Ginebra and his first championship opportunity since winning the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup with Rain or Shine. “It’s been a while. Definitely excited to be back in the finals. It’s been a long time coming,” said Ahanmisi, who joined the Kings as an unrestricted free agent at the start of Season 48 after two years with Converge.

“I’m just glad we made it here. It was a tough series. It’s a tough playoffs so far, but I’m glad we stuck together and finally got the win.”

Ginebra swept Meralco in the quarterfinals and overcame a challenging series against the Beermen.

Next, the Kings will face the top-seeded Tropang Giga, aiming to reclaim the crown taken by TNT last year. “The job’s not done yet. We’ll see what we can do in the finals,” Ahanmisi said about the upcoming matchup.

Ahanmisi’s 25-point performance in Game 6 was his highest in a Ginebra uniform and a playoffs career-high, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.