PBA: Maverick Ahanmisi gets wish granted as he goes to Terrafirma in trade

Maverick Ahanmisi got his trade demand granted. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--In a recent vlog, Maverick Ahanmisi revealed that he asked San Miguel Corporation sports director and Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua for him to be traded to another team.

On Wednesday, Ahanmisi's wish was granted.

The PBA trade committee approved a trade involving the Gin Kings and Terrafirma Dyip that would see Mav joining forces with his younger brother, Jerrick.

Ginebra also shipped Aljon Mariano to Terrafirma in the said swap.

Both Mariano and Maverick Ahanmisi have been key contributors to the Gin Kings off the bench under coach Tim Cone.

This time, both players will bring veteran smarts to a young Dyip core who have shown some promise despite the struggles they had.

Terrafirma, though, came from a Sunday night shocker against NLEX with sixth-round pick JM Bravo leading the way.

In exchange, the Dyip gave up their first-round pick for the PBA Season 51 Draft to the Gin Kings.

Considering its history of being among the bottom teams throughout its stint in the PBA, the pick of Terrafirma, if the team once again ends up sluggish this season, could possibly be an early selection in the upcoming draft, which is scheduled for January 2027.

After finishing dead last in the three conferences last season with an accumulative record of 3-30, the Dyip got the number one pick of last month's draft, which they used on Abra Weavers center Geo Chiu.

This is not the first time Ginebra and Terrafirma traded for a first-rounder, as they agreed on a pick swap before last year's draft that saw the Gin Kings moving up to the third pick, which they used to select eventual Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos.

The Dyip fell to number 10 in the draft order but still got a quality point guard in Mark Nonoy, arguably one of their leaders now.