The season-ending 2017 PBA Governor’s Cup is about to open shop exactly a week from now. And no one is more excited for it than sweet-shooting rookie Von Pessumal.
Days ago, the 6-foot-2 guard from the Ateneo de Manila University was dealt by the Globalport Batang Pier in a trade with league powerhouse San Miguel Beermen, in exchange for seldom-used big man Arnold Van Opstal.
And being a part of the league’s most-decorated team is what makes the soft-spoken Gilas Cadet elated.
“I’m just thankful that I got into a team that has a winning culture,” the Gilas Cadet proudly shared to Tiebreaker Times.
“I want to be part of a winning team ever since. Now that I’m part of it, I’m gonna make the most out of it.”
The trade came as a surprise when the news broke out, knowing that their were certain rules regarding the Cadets being dealt by their mother teams. Pessumal admitted he was perplexed, but he does not want to delve into it deeper.
“Siyempre confused at first, but as a player we don’t have that kind of power,” said the 24-year-old Filipino-Indian. “So, I try to control what I can control, which is whatever team that I’m in, I’ll just stick playing with them.
“I don’t really try to go too much on the politics behind it.”
For years, San Miguel have been known as a team with a limited yet effective rotation on both ends of the floor. Pessumal knows that he has to earn his minutes by proving his worth on the defensive end.
“Since marami nang offense ang San Miguel, I try to focus on defense,” said Pessumal, who averaged 5.5 points with 39.1 percent shooting from the outside in 15.2 minutes in his first two conferences with Globalport.
“People see me as an outside shooter, but I know I can do much more than that. I want to be known as a two-way player, to be a really good defensive player.”
Playing with arguably the best team in the PBA is challenging. But it is the least of Pessumal’s concerns, as he is just looking forward to grow within the Beermen’s wealthy realm.
“I’m just looking forward to the process of being integrated to that winning culture,” he said.
