Jerrick Ahanmisi embraces first taste of 3×3, eyes return to Gilas

For Jerrick Ahanmisi, the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup wasn’t just another tournament—it was an introduction to a different version of the game, one that challenged him in ways he hadn’t experienced before.

Stepping into unfamiliar territory, the 28-year-old guard found himself navigating a series of firsts. It was his debut in 3×3 basketball, his first time wearing a Gilas Pilipinas jersey in international play, and his first exposure to the fast-paced, high-intensity environment that defines the format.

And it left an impression. “I think it was really eye-opening for me,” Ahanmisi said. “It was something that I never got a chance to do. It was my first time playing 3×3, first time playing international, first time on Gilas, so it was a lot of firsts for me and I just tried to go into it with an open mind.”

Alongside Ralph Cu, Chris Koon, and Sean Alter, Ahanmisi helped steer the Philippines to a sixth-place finish—an outcome that reflected both progress and untapped potential.

“I think for my first time, it was ok. But I learned a lot from it. And I learned a lot of things that I can also bring to the 5-on-5 gameplay.”

That blend of satisfaction and hunger defined his takeaway. While the experience itself stood out, the competitor in him couldn’t ignore the result.

“The only reason why I say it’s ok is because we didn’t end up getting a medal,” he said. “We got sixth-place in Asia. It’s good that we moved our rank higher. We were No. 9, but now we’re No. 6, so that was a good thing.”

“But obviously, when you play in tournaments or play basketball, you want to get to the top. But maybe just because it’s my first time, maybe its just not the right part for me right now.”

Even off the court, the tournament offered perspective. Ahanmisi witnessed firsthand the Gilas Pilipinas women’s 3×3 team make history with a silver-medal run, a performance that resonated with the entire delegation.

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LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 Guard Jerrick Ahanmisi is looking to translate lessons from the international stage into his professional career after his stint with Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup. pic.twitter.com/kUZF1byiGh

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“I loved it. I’m so proud of them because they played Japan to go to the finals. And then when we were watching them against Australia, everybody was just saying, (it was) because Australia has big girls and WNBA players. So we were just really proud of their performance and we’re glad that they got the silver,” he said.

Back on his own squad, Ahanmisi appreciated the balance within the lineup—a mix of shooting, slashing, and interior presence that gave the team flexibility in a format that demands quick adjustments.

“We have a mixture of a lot of things. We have Ralph that can shoot. We have Chris that can slash and shoot a bit, and then we have Sean who can rebound and be a big man in the post as well,” said Ahanmisi.

And if there was any doubt about whether the experience was a one-time stint, Ahanmisi made his intentions clear.

“I was telling my wife the other day that I really want to go back. Like even the next day when I flew back, I was like, I want to go back there right now. I want to play again. Because it’s that fun,” he said.

“And the crowd, the audience is just always so electric. The event is so eventful. There’s a lot of lights. The hosts are great too. So the people at 3×3, they really make it worthwhile.”

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