Reinhard Jumamoy received his UAAP Boys’ Basketball Most Valuable Player award on Friday at the Filoil Eccooil Centre.
And it was historic as he became the first student-athlete out of National University Nazareth School to receive the honor.
“First of all, nagpapasalamat ako kay Lord dahil unexpected itong blessing ito. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa tiwala ng coaches namin, kung wala sila, hindi ko ito makukuha. Yung family ko rin, since day one, hindi nila ako iniwan,” said Jumamoy, who accumulated a whopping 102.5 statistical points (SP) this season.
It was only fitting that Jumamoy would receive the award.
Jumamoy, 19, is a true blue Bullpup, spending his entire secondary school life there. He did not even participate in the NU exodus of 2020, opting to stay in Jhocson Street despite seeing his friends like Andy Gemao, Basti Reyes, and Syrex Silorio leave.
However, his stay in Manila was costly as he had to leave his family in Cebu.
“I’m super happy kasi hindi basta-basta makuha yung ganitong achievement. Madami din ako sacrifices, lalo na sa family,” added Jumamoy, who had a league-record four triple-doubles this season.
Grateful is Jumamoy for the support group not only with the Bullpups but also with the Bulldogs especially when the going gets tough.
There is one particular player to who he is thankful and that’s Steve Nash Enriquez.
Enriquez is also one of the former wards of Goldwin Monteverde who opted to stay in NU.
“Pagkatapos kami matalo, si Nash talaga, pinuntahan niya ko at nagusap kami. Lagi niya kong gina-guide,” said Jumamoy.
With still seven months before Season 86, Jumamoy plans to work on many things to make him college-ready.
On top of his priority list is learning to become a better leader.
“Yung leadership ko kasi na-frufrustrate pa ko ng mabilis. Tsaka sa depensa.”
