For almost his entire career, Von Pessumal donned the Blue and White. Outside of his short stint with the Tanduay Rhum Masters, the dead eye shooter wore Ateneo’s blue and white since his grade school days while wearing the blue and white of Gilas Pilipinas during international competitions.
Sunday afternoon, the 6-foot-2 guard was drafted to the Green and Black squad, the Globalport Batang Pier. Pessumal admitted that he was surprised to be drafted to a team that already has potent scorers Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle in its roster. But just as he said during the SLAM Draft Suite: you can never have enough shooters.
“Actually I had a earlier workout with them, I got shocked because their offensive system is kind for two-guards who can shoot,” the 23-year old shared.
“I think I can provide offensive firepower off the bench. Whatever coach [John Cardel] asks me to provide, if he wants to play defense, I will also do it.
“I don’t know if I will be on the floor at the same time, but I’m just willing to accept any role the coach ask me to do,” he furthered.
“I’m just shocked that I’m wearing green.”
For Pessumal, the jump to the pro ranks is the first step in his post-Ateneo career – a reality check to the real world where only the strong survive. And he plans on surviving the tough PBA world by adding to his arsenal by returning back to his roots.
“You never really play with your college team, your only lucky if you play with your former coach but it’s all new to us so I guess it’s part of the process,” the Gilas Pilipinas guard said.
“You just need to work hard and see how it goes.
“I felt that the only way I can stay in the court is if I play defense. I was a defensive player in high school,” the two-time UAAP gold medalist reflected.
And for Pessumal to move forward, he has to look back.
