Roi Sumang could not help but feel emotional after entering the SM Mall of Asia Arena, Sunday morning.
“Excited ako. Tagal kong walang laro tapos ngayon lang ako nakalaro ulit,” said the six-year pro out of University of the East.
“Imagine, parang August last year pa ko huling nakapaglaro.”
Back in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, Sumang averaged 10.36 points, 4.27 assists, and 4.27 rebounds showing that he still belongs in the league’s norm.
However, the 5-foot-8 guard, along with Maurice Shaw, were traded to NLEX last March.
As time went by, both he and Shaw did not receive any calls from the Road Warriors to play in this year’s Philippine Cup.
And Sumang perfectly understands it.
“Sa akin, yung time na yun, mada-down ka,” he recalled. “Okay yung bubble ko then na-trade ako after. Parang walang tawag sa akin. Pero hindi na ko nag-dwell dun, nag-isip na lang ako ng next move ko.
“I also respect yung decision nila dahil magagaling din player nila. Kung nag-dwell ako dun, lulubog lang ako,” he added as NLEX had the likes of Jericho Cruz, Kevin Alas, Philip Paniamogan, among others.
“Motivation ko anak ko at family ko.”
But a talent like Sumang will easily have a team.
Nueva Ecija signed him up for the 2021 Chooks-to-Go MPBL Invitational Tournament. And his return to basketball could not come at a better day as he was also celebrating his 31st birthday.
Sumang had eight points in the game with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in Nueva Ecija’s 99-92 win over Sarangani.
Sumang admitted that there’s pressure on him to deliver this time around.
“Sa akin, wala naman. As a player, same lang naman lahat yun,” he said. “Siguro yung pressure ko is yung paano kami mananalo.
“Nakaka-pressure lang din kasi one year akong walang laro. Sana mabalik ko yung game ko talaga. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Cuevas family para makapaglaro ulit.”
For Sumang, he only has one goal with the Rice Vanguards — to win it all.
“Gusto ko talaga mag-champion kasi hindi pa ko nag-champion sa college at sa pro. Sana ito na talaga ‘yun. “
