REINHARD Jumamoy has proven he can win games for National U. Against, Ateneo, however, the Bulldogs’ go-to guy was left owning the other ending to the story.
The Cebuano guard, who delivered the game-winner against University of Santo Tomas earlier this season, finished with 16 points, six rebounds, and six assists, as the Bulldogs absorbed another loss to the Blue Eagles on Wednesday.
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It was a familiar heartbreak for Jhocson, as Ateneo handed them their last loss before their four-game winning streak.
Despite putting up a productive stat line, Jumamoy could not deliver another signature finish, leaving the blue-and-gold still searching for answers against the same squad that had beaten them in the first round.
“May pagkukulang pa talaga ako,” he admitted to SPIN.ph afterwards.
“Masarap sa feeling na merong tiwala sila sa akin. Pero yun yung mahirap din eh, yung kabaliktaran din, yung pressure.”
The NU skipper knows his teammates are looking to him to make things happen, especially in the closing stretch when every possession matters.
And whatever happens then, that would be all on him.
“Kailangan mo lang talaga i-accept kung anong mangyayari, pumasok man o hindi,” Jumamoy added.
Rein it in
After emerging as MVP frontrunner after the first round, the 23 year old has had to endure a quieter two-game stretch to open Round 2.
Jumamoy only had four points, seven boards, and five assists in their blowout win over Adamson, and while his 16 points against Ateneo was productive, his five turnovers added to the Bulldogs' struggles.
While the 5-foot-11 guard acknowledged feeling the spotlight being shone on him as MVP contender, he also pointed out the top individual award is far from his mind.
“Hindi ko naman talaga iniisip yun eh. Kasi naglalaro lang naman ako eh. Nagulat lang naman talaga ako kung bakit ako nandyan sa position na yan,” he uttered, while also adding head coach Jeff Napa keeps reminding him to focus on the reasons rather than the recognition itself.
Even better, the National U lead guard knows full well he needs to be much more consistent to make sure he and his side continues to be ahead of the pack in what is turning out to be another ultra-competitive playoff race.
As he put it, “Dapat maging consistent talaga ako. Lalo na sa sarili ko, kasi ako yung nilu-look up ng mga kasama ko.”
Jumamoy has already shown he can be the Bulldogs' hero, but in falling short against the Blue Eagles, he was reminded that the same player who wins games must also own his shortcomings when things go wrong.
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