Ginebra’s Ahanmisi asks to be traded

MANILA, Philippines — A new trade may be coming for Barangay Ginebra.

This after Mav Ahanmisi admitted that he requested to be traded from the Gin Kings.

In a vlog posted on his YouTube account Tuesday, the nine-year PBA veteran said he requested a trade “for the first time” during the offseason.

“It was kind of stressful for me because I took a pretty big step last night and I did actually request for a trade for the first time,” the 34-year-old guard said.

“I don't know how people are going to take it, man,” he said. But to be honest, I like my teammates. I'm cool with everybody on that team. I appreciate the fans. I even appreciate the [expletive] that don't [expletive]with me. That's just the honest truth,” he added.

“But as a player, you want the opportunity to play and showcase your talent.”

In 65 games last season, Ahanmisi averaged 7.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting a career-high 44.2% from the field.

Ginebra’s backcourt is crowded with reigning Rookie of the Year RJ Abarrientos, former Most Valuable Player Scottie Thompson and do-it-all guard Stephen Holt.

“So it's kind of a fine line between like being patient and waiting your turn. But I just turned 34 last month. I am now on, like, the back half of my career. There's not much time to waste for me,” Ahanmisi said in the vlog.

“So these are the times as a pro that you have to make decisions that are going to benefit you because at the end of the day, this is a business. You have to think about yourself. As selfish as it sounds, you're going to have to do those things for you and your family.

“And a lot of people are not going to like that decision most of the time. But if it benefits you and your family and you do it in a respectful and proper way, nobody can really knock you for that.”

Later in the vlog, the one-time PBA champion received a call from his agent, who brought the news that he was “cleared to get traded.”

“I didn't ever want to like leave Ginebra, but like I said, it's something that I have to do for myself as well as my family. But I'm excited for this new journey. Glad I could bring you guys along.”

Ahanmisi did not play in Ginebra’s opening-day loss to the Magnolia Hotshots.