When Von Pessumal was surrounded by media men after the game, Chris Ross — who is celebrating his 33rd birthday — stopped by to pat the sophomore for a job well done.
“That’s my boy,” the five-time champion said.
It is that kind of relationship the 25-year-old has developed with his San Miguel Beermen teammates since he was traded to them last July 10, 2017.
“Ang dali ng basketball dito kasi bibigay mo lang kay June Mar [Fajardo] sa post. Parang yung spacing na the team provides, I get open so it’s just my job to shoot and knock it down. Nothing special naman,” shared Pessumal, after going 7-of-10 from the field for 18 points off the bench — 14 points above his norms.
With Pessumal torching Ginebra for 13 points in the final frame, the Beermen were able to buck every fightback attempt mounted by the Gin Kings. And they were able to draw first blood after taking a 102-90 win.
And this was just his way of giving back to the trust given to him by coach Leo Austria and his teammates.
“Sinuklian ko lang si coach, kasi he’s been encouraging me sa practice, even if I have some bad games talagang he gives me chances. Tapos yung teammates ko, may tiwala sila sakin, if I’m open they’ll give it to me and they believe na I can knock it down,” the 6-foot-2 swingman explained.
“So sinuklian ko lang lahat sila.
“Si Chris talaga, always very stoic to me, he doesn’t care if I miss five in a row, he’ll give me the ball if I’m open. Si Marcio [Lassiter], parang kuya ko siya eh, I’ll ask him questions, he’ll give me helpful advice that I know I can’t get from anybody else lang,” he added.
But it is just Game One of an expected grind-out series. Pessumal knows that he and San Miguel’s surprising bench mob need to sustain their momentum to make life easier for the Beermen’s starting five.
“Yung bench namin we believe na we’re just as capable as the first group eh. Dapat ganun yung mindset di ba? When you come in dapat sustain or even higher yung level of play namin,” Pessumal shared.
“If we come in we have to sustain yung level or if possible, bring it higher just so when the starters come back in and close the game, it’s easier.”
