(PBA image)
CANDON CITY — Jerrick Ahanmisi turned the PBA All-Star side events into his personal showcase Friday night, emerging as the brightest star of the opening festivities of the Season 50 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Candon City Arena.
The Terrafirma sharpshooter delivered a dazzling double triumph, capturing both the Pocari Sweat Three-Point Shootout and the ArenaPlus Obstacle Challenge – Guard Edition to highlight the action-packed kickoff of the league’s annual midseason spectacle.
Ahanmisi first made history in the obstacle-filled guard skills contest, displaying speed, precision, and composure while navigating a demanding course that tested passing accuracy, ball control, and shooting touch. He completed the challenge in 24.94 seconds, beating a competitive field and echoing a family legacy — his older brother Maverick ruled the same event a decade ago.
Trailing in his wake were Blackwater’s Dalph Panopio, who finished in 26.97 seconds, TNT’s Rey Nambatac (27.94), Converge’s Juan Gomez de Liano (35.83), Titan’s Fran Yu (37.52), and San Miguel’s Juami Tiongson (50.7).
Barely half an hour later, Ahanmisi returned to the spotlight and delivered an even bigger performance in the Three-Point Shootout.
Showing off his deadly shooting touch, the Fil-Am guard erupted for 30 points in the final round, punctuating his run with conversions on the two golden balls from the four-point arc. The explosive round allowed him to outgun San Miguel sniper Marcio Lassiter — the league’s all-time three-point king — who finished with 25 points, while Gomez de Liano settled for 18.
“I’m so proud of myself because I work hard every single day and I put my best out every day in practice and in the games. So God’s just blessed me today,” said Ahanmisi after claiming both titles.
“This means that my hard work is working and I just gotta keep putting my foot forward every single day and making sure that I’m pushing myself every single day to get better,” he added.
Ahanmisi was twice honored at center court during the awarding ceremonies led by Candon Mayor Eric Singson, Vice Mayor Kristelle Singson, and PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.
Meanwhile, Meralco’s Brandon Bates grabbed his own share of the spotlight by ruling the Obstacle Challenge – Big Man edition.
Bates completed the shorter frontliner course in 22.86 seconds to beat NLEX’s Brandon Ramirez (27.26) and Magnolia’s James Laput (45.69). He succeeded San Miguel’s JM Calma, who was eliminated earlier in the head-to-head knockout preliminaries by Barangay Ginebra’s Japeth Aguilar.
“I’m shocked,” Bates admitted. “Honestly, I thought I was going to be out in the first round. So to get to the last round and then to actually win it, I’m like, what the heck? It’s a dream. But it’s cool, it’s cool.”
With thrilling performances and highlight-worthy moments, the All-Star side events set the tone for an electrifying weekend of basketball celebration in Ilocos Sur.