PBA: Maverick Ahanmisi playing his best basketball yet thanks to Aldin Ayo

Maverick Ahanmisi. PBA PICTURES

MANILA, Philippines—Maverick Ahanmisi believes he is currently playing the best basketball of his career thanks to many Converge coach Aldin Ayo.

FiberXers won over San Miguel, 107-103, with Ahanmisi making one of the biggest plays of the game-a three-point basket from the right wing to give the team a 102-98 lead with 1:40 remaining.

“Definitely,” Ahanmisi said when asked if he was having his best season yet. “That and I recognize that coach Aldin he really believes in me to play this way. He plays a leadership role for me and I have guys like Alec Stockton who play really well.

Ahanmisi’s clutch shots helped Converge end San Miguel’s five-game unbeaten streak.

“I put all this on the coaching staff and the players. hey gave me the confidence to take those shots and it helps that you have a coach who encourages you all the time to take those big moments so I don’t feel the pressure at that moment,” said Ahanmisi at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Faced with the big task of defeating the San Miguel juggernaut, the 6-foot-1 Ahanmisi had 15 points and six rebounds.

Ahanmisi averaged a career-best 18.3 points with 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in six games this season while coming off the bench.

“I give him a lot of credit. Everyone has been asking me lately why I play the way I do and I’ll be honest with him (Ayo). Out of all the injuries I’ve had, he’s been patient with me. He’s allowed me to get well when I need to get well. Like I said, he trusts me enough to be a professional myself and work on myself.

Thanks to the high effort of the former Gilas cager, Converge is currently tied for second seed with TNT and San Miguel with a 5-1 record. Commissioner’s Cup champion Ginebra stands alone at the top with three wins and zero losses.

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