Rhinwill Yambing, Jessie Sumoda, and Ken Villapando will forgo their playing years for San Sebastian College-Recoletos as they move on to their next journey, the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
San Sebastian College-Recoletos’ head coach, John Kallos, shared with Tiebreaker Times that the trio informed him of their intention to pursue the draft. He also mentioned that the three players have completed their semester this year.
“I think Jessie Sumoda, [Kenneth] Villapando, and Rhinwill Yambing, but I’m not sure kung anong plans nila, pero sabi nila magpapa-draft na sila, pero tinapos pa nila ‘yun sem nila this year,” said Kallos, who took over the Stags program early this year after Egay Macaraya was not renewed.
Kallos mentioned that the three players are already preparing for the draft.
Yambing and Sumoda have been absent from training for a week, while Villapando has already left to play for Pampanga Royce Hotel in the Pilipinas Super League.
However, if any of the players change their minds, Kallos and San Sebastian will be glad to welcome them back. Regardless of their decision, Kallos and the Golden Stags fully support them.
“So, I’m not still calling them kung anong plans nila kasi di ako namimilit. Pero kung babalik sila until May 15, they are very much welcome pero kung hindi wala na ako magagwa — moving forward lang ako,” he continued.
Of course, the biggest catch among the three is the 6-foot-3 Yambing.
The native of Southern Leyte averaged 10.14 points, 3.86 rebounds, 0.21 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.29 blocks per game.
Meanwhile, Villapando put up numbers of 7.78 points, 7.44 rebounds, 2.44 assists, 1.11 steals, and 1.0 blocks. Meanwhile, Sumoda normed 6.18 points, 4.24 rebounds, 1.06 assists, 0.53 steals, and 0.59 blocks per game.
The Golden Stags finished fifth with an 8-10 win-loss record.
San Sebastian will use preseason tournaments like the Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup and the Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup to work polish on their chemistry.
Moreover, Rommel Calahat, Alex Desoyo, Rafael Are, James Una, and Raymart Escobido will fill the shoes left by the potential departures.
As for Kallos, he will continue to move forward with the team and work harder to achieve their goals.
“So shorthanded ‘yung lineup ko, but I still trust the boys kung sino ‘yung maiwan diyan,” said Kallos.
“We will work hard on it, ‘yun lang walang hold or walang holding back kung sino ‘yung nawala or wala, moving forward lang ‘to ‘yun lang.”
