VON Pessumal on Sunday declared he is ready to take on the challenge of filling in the shoes left behind by key Ateneo stalwarts.
Pessumal said he’s accepting a much-higher role on offense this time after last year’s top scorer Ryan Buenafe and point guard Juami Tiongson finished their respective collegiate careers.
“I’m filling in the shoes of very good players like Ryan and Juami. I think it’s about time because it’s already my fourth year,” Pessumal said.
Against rival De La Salle, Pessumal showed what he can bring to the Blue Eagles as he finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, and three assists, in a 97-86 win in the first meeting between the two rivals schools in this year’s UAAP men’s basketball tournament.
Kiefer Ravena, his teammates since high school with Ateneo, isn’t surprised with Pessumal’s performance. He said Pessumal kept the Eagles in the game after trailing, 4-13, in the first period.
“He kept us in the game. Sabi nga namin, we just have to grind it out. Von readily did a good job. Eto ‘yung hinintay namin from him. We are not surprised. But it’s still a test of consistency,” said Ravena.
Pessumal said he still has a lot of areas to improve on especially his shooting.
“I think in high school, that was my weakness. I just figured if I got that down, I’ll be a much better player,” he said.
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