The Price of Potential: Ginebra’s Trade of Ahanmisi and Mariano Raises Eyebrows
The much-anticipated trade of Maverick Ahanmisi has finally materialized, but the cost—or rather, the return—is drawing sharp criticism from the Barangay Ginebra faithful. On Wednesday, the Gin Kings dealt both Maverick Ahanmisi and veteran forward Aljon Mariano to the Terrafirma Dyip in exchange for the Dyip’s Season 51 first-round draft pick.
The transaction further depletes a Ginebra roster that is already reeling from the departure of key figures like retired captain LA Tenorio and Japan-bound Jamie Malonzo, leaving the team with a 13-man lineup just one game into the Philippine Cup.
The Question of Fairness and Value
While Ahanmisi publicly requested the trade to seek bigger minutes, and Mariano was increasingly relegated to minimal minutes (averaging only 5 minutes in 28 games last season), the package Ginebra received has dampened the perceived fairness of the deal in the eyes of many fans—and they have a point.
Ginebra traded two experienced, rotation-ready players for a draft pick that won’t be used until the 51st season of the PBA Draft.
Ahanmisi is a high-impact guard who, in his last full season before joining Ginebra, was an All-Star caliber player for Converge. Mariano is a proven two-way forward and a seven-time champion whose hustle and perimeter defense are valuable assets.
Ginebra's return is a future draft pick—an asset whose value hinges entirely on the performance of the team that owns it.
The Terrafirma Factor: Hunting for Number One
This is precisely where the deal sparks controversy. Terrafirma has historically been the weakest roster in the league and has long been synonymous with possessing the top overall pick, having selected first overall six times in the last eight seasons.
If Terrafirma finishes with one of the worst records this season, that Season 51 first-round pick acquired by Ginebra could easily turn into the coveted No. 1 overall selection of the supposedly deep 51st season draft.
While getting a potential top pick is a strategic long-term move, sacrificing two win-now players—especially with the team currently short-handed and starting the season 0-1—to a team that will benefit immediately, simply fuels the narrative that Terrafirma trades are disproportionately beneficial to the San Miguel Corporation teams who receive their future draft assets.
Ginebra has addressed Ahanmisi’s desire for playing time and cleared salary space, but the immediate result is a weakened squad heading into a crucial game against TNT and a long conference ahead. The gamble on Terrafirma’s future mediocrity is now official, and fans will be keeping a keen eye on the Dyip’s win-loss record as they contemplate the true price of the trade.
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