Ahanmisi bombs blow dyip apart

MANILA, Philippines — In a game vital to its rejuvenation bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup, Magnolia unleashed long-distance bomber Jerrick Ahanmisi side by side with its trademark defense.

Ahanmisi, stepping out of the shadows of more illustrious teammate Paul Lee, lit up the Ninoy Aquino Stadium with four four-point baskets and two triples to trigger the Hotshots’ 124-103 bounceback victory over Terrafirma last night.

The rifleman out of Adamson U finished with a game-high 24 after producing the most incendiary performance since the extended arc from 27 feet was implemented this season.

An appreciative Magnolia coach Chito Victolero gave Ahanmisi a pat on the head as they talked about this quick recovery from their 82-88 loss to TNT last game that jacked up their record to 2-2 in Group B.

“Lumalabas ‘yung mga ginagawa niyang extra (shooting) sa practice,” Victolero said of the Fil-Am guard.

“We’re very happy ‘yung patience namin sa kanya is paying off. He just needs to be consistent and continue to develop as a two-way player.”

Ahanmisi hit the first of his four-balls early in the first canto, setting the tone for a 34-13 upperhand against the Dyip (0-4). He made two more four-pointers in the second as the Hotshots led by 31 at 63-32. Overall, he shot 50 percent from the four-point line (4-of-8) and 66.7 percent from three-point range (2-of-3).

“I think the efficiency comes from practicing everyday, going there early and staying after, trying to get shots up and improve and get my teammates to trust me enough,” said Ahanmisi, who also had two assists and two steals.

Glenn Robinson III, seeing limited action as he battled the effects of food poisoning, produced 20 markers and 13 boards as Zav Lucero (15), Ian Sangalang (14), Lee (13 with nine dimes) and Joseph Eriobu (12) helped offensively.

The W put Magnolia at .500 again in a rollercoaster campaign.

“I told them during our preparations to forget all our (past) failures and setbacks; ang importante was how we can bounce back in this game,” said