Dimaunahan encouragement brings best out of Roi Sumang
MANILA, Philippines—-Coming off a half a month layoff in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Blackwater didn’t have it easy against streaking Magnolia on Friday.
The Elite hadn’t played a single game in 13 games and they needed someone to give them that bit of boost to shake off that rust.
Enter Roi Sumang.
Blackwater’s backup guard lit up for 19 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, while dishing out six assists as the Elite escaped the Hotshots, 104-99, in overtime.
Sumang, who scored all of his points in the fourth and overtime periods, said most of what he did was thanks to head coach Aris Dimaunahan and his teammates for constantly pushing him to be better.
“Coach Aris and my teammates were just giving me the confidence that I need,” said Sumang in Filipino. “On my part, I just want to execute and do my job, the shots are just a bonus for me. I guess I just had a good game.”
Sumang averaged 8.1 points prior to his outburst and his offensive salvo helped the Elite snap the Hotshots’ five-game winning streak and in turn propel the Elite to the third seed with a 6-3 card.
Magnolia, meanwhile, dropped to the fourth seed with a 5-3 record.
Sumang added that it was Dimaunahan who constantly motivated him after he struggled in the Philippine Cup.
Despite averaging 8.8 points, Sumang had a hard time finding his rhythm shooting just 38 percent from the field.
“I was a bit lost last conference, like I was out of focus,” said Sumang who’s about to have his own family. “Coach Aris is like a father figure, he’s always telling me to be motivated especially since I’m expecting a baby.”
“He’s always telling me to focus because I’m not a kid anymore.”
