Ever since Gilas Pilipinas program was developed, there has always been that spot — aside from the point guard — in the squad that is overly stacked in talent and consistently fought over by players: the swingman position.
And in the esteemed program’s fifth installment, three Gilas Cadets — Von Pessumal, Roger Pogoy, and Ed Daquioag — are all aware of how tough and competitive it is to vie for the position they all share.
“Kahit naman saang team, yung swingman, yung shooting guard, stacked lagi eh,” said the 24-year-old Pessumal.
“So for me, nothing new.”
“Oo naman,” described Pogoy of the stiff competition in the shooting guard position.
“Alam naman natin na yung mga kapuwestuhan ko rito, magagaling eh.”
And for the three PBA rookies, it all boils down to what each of them can offer to the team, to become a cut above the rest and give more than what that is asked from them.
“Siguro first thing in mind, outside shooting. Pero everybody can shoot in this team eh. So I have to be exceptional,” said the Batang Pier rookie Pessumal.
“I’m sure it’s a tough order but I’m willing to take the challenge.”
If the Atenean can offer his outside sniping, his bread-and-butter ever since his UAAP heydays, Pogoy, meanwhile, vowed that he can be a threat on both ends of the floor.
“Dumidepensa lang ako na shooting guard. Yun lang talaga advantage ko,” said Pogoy, a one-time UAAP gold medalist.
As for Daquioag, he is aware of his limits, but he isn’t letting them hold him back. Instead, he even sees it as an advantage — an edge he is willing to maximize in order for him to help the squad even more.
“Depensa at yung aggressiveness mapa-defense or offense,” said the UST product.
“Kasi I know naman na hindi ako ganoong shooter katulad ng ibang two-guards, so ima-maximize ko yung strongest ability ko like slashing.”
Now that the announcement of Gilas’ final roster for the SEABA Championship in May is just over a week away, all three two-guards have different perspectives, as they are prepared and hopeful at the same time.
“Medyo [kinakabahan]. Siyempre excited,” admitted Pessumal.
“Matutuloy pa naman ‘tong program pagkatapos nitong SEABA eh. There are still lots of time for me to improve and play with this team, so we’ll take it from there.”
“Wala. Tanggap ko naman lahat ng mangyayari,” said the straight-forward Pogoy towards the upcoming roster announcement.
“Susuporta pa rin naman ako sa Gilas.”
“Pinagdarasal na lang,” quipped Daquioag with a chuckle.
“Kasi siyempre alam naman natin na marami talaga eh. Pupuwede lahat. Hopefully maisama tayo ni God doon sa mapipili.”
