MANILA, Philippines – Veteran point guard Maverick Ahanmisi delivered an absolute masterclass in poise and clutch playmaking down the stretch, orchestrating a breathtaking comeback that shattered the unblemished record of the NLEX Road Warriors and earned him the prestigious PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award for the period covering August 4 to 8.

The 35 year old playmaker served as the indispensable steadying force for the Terrafirma Dyip, navigating his squad through a fierce dogfight against the league-leading Road Warriors in their PBA Governors’ Cup showdown. Entering the contest as heavy underdogs against an NLEX squad that had swept its first six matches of the conference, Terrafirma looked on the verge of another heartbreaking close defeat as time ticked away in the final period. However, behind Ahanmisi’s veteran leadership and tactical brilliance, the Dyip executed a furious 9–0 closing run over the final two minutes and seven seconds to pull off a dramatic 114–109 victory, effectively reviving their playoff aspirations in Group A.

Ahanmisi’s statistical line reflected an exceptionally efficient and complete performance. The former first round draft pick poured in 16 points on a blistering 63 percent shooting efficiency from the field, while dishing out a game high 10 assists, pulling down three rebounds, and recording three critical steals. Yet beyond his impressive double-double, it was Ahanmisi’s absolute mastery of endgame situational execution that defined the contest and earned the unanimous admiration of the men and women regularly covering the PBA beat.

With Terrafirma trailing by five points inside the final two minutes, Ahanmisi single handedly flipped the momentum of the game on both ends of the floor. Demonstrating remarkable court vision, he found young center Geo Chiu in transition for a quick interior conversion. On the succeeding defensive possession, Ahanmisi anticipated a perimeter pass to poke the ball away from NLEX guard Schonny Winston, securing the steal and immediately launching another fast break opportunity that resulted in a second consecutive assist to Chiu. The back to back scoring plays instantly erased NLEX’s lead and brought the game to a 109–all dead heat.

Refusing to relent, Ahanmisi showcased his veteran anticipation on the very next defensive sequence, rising above the crowd to secure a contested defensive rebound off a missed NLEX jump shot. Pushing the ball rapidly ahead before NLEX’s defensive set could establish itself, Ahanmisi initiated a smooth ball movement sequence that culminated in a go-ahead basket by Brent Paraiso with just 1:09 remaining on the game clock. In the closing seconds, Ahanmisi added a crucial offensive rebound and split a pair of free throws, while Paraiso sank two charities to finalize the scoreline and seal Terrafirma’s most significant victory of the campaign.

The emotional win held special therapeutic value for Terrafirma, who had spent much of the early group stage enduring agonizingly tight setbacks, including a painful 101–100 defeat to NLEX during their first-round matchup. Reflecting on his team’s refusal to buckle under pressure, Ahanmisi credited the coaching staff’s rigorous preparation and the squad’s developing collective maturity for pulling off the monumental upset, emphasizing that their early season struggles served as vital building blocks for crunch time composure. He noted that the coaches had repeatedly placed the team in detailed situational drills during weekly practices, a discipline that directly translated into seamless execution when the game hung precariously in the balance.

By securing the high-profile upset, Terrafirma elevated their record to 3–4, pulling into a fourth-place tie with the Converge FiberXers in Group A and fundamentally reshaping the postseason race as the group stage approaches its critical conclusion. Ahanmisi’s steadying influence has proven instrumental in transforming Terrafirma into a dangerous, resilient opponent capable of going toe to toe with the league’s premiere title contenders.

In capturing the weekly honor handed out by the PBA Press Corps, Ahanmisi beat out a formidable list of candidates who also turned in impressive individual performances during the reporting period. Among those nominated were Magnolia’s Jerom Lastimosa, Blackwater guard Sedrick Barefield, San Miguel swingman Don Trollano, and his own Terrafirma teammate Brent Paraiso. Ultimately, Ahanmisi’s combined statistical brilliance, defensive tenacity, and undeniable role as the catalyst for the week’s most dramatic triumph made him the clear and deserving choice for the prestigious weekly citation.