VON Pessumal never forgets to look from where he came from.
While he does appreciate the works done for him by previous and current coaches, Pessumal makes it a point to trace the foundation of where his playing career began.
And at the bottom of it is no other than his Ateneo high school coach Jamike Jarin.
The San Miguel Beer wingman credits Jarin for instilling in him the value of discipline and hard work early in his playing years with the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, attributes which helped him develop into the player that he is today.
"Pag high school ka pa kasi sobrang raw mo pa talaga and hindi mo pa nare-realize yung kaya mo pang gawin," said the 27-year-old Pessumal.
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"And siya talaga yung nag-unlock, yung realization ng kung ano pa ang kaya kong gawin."
Pessumal admitted Jarin is a tough drillmaster, who was always hard on his players.
The former national team member doesn't mind about it especially with how it helped him as a player in the long run.
The two, who won championships together with the Blue Eaglets and later with the Ateneo men's team where Jarin acted as assistant to coach Norman Black, eventually forged a strong bond with each other that both of them would try to hook up with one another from time to time.
"Until this day nag-uusap talaga kami," said Pessumal of Jarin, who was once a deputy of Black at TnT Katropa and later with Meralco. "When I have bad games, mini-message niya ako.
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Minsan naman tinatawagan ko siya for some advice.
Pessumal acknowledged the help past coaches like Eric Altamirano and Bo Perasol and current mentor Leo Austria have extended on him.
But the biggest compliment belongs to Jarin.
"Looking back, thankful ako sa kanya," said the young Beerman. "So siya talaga yung pinaka-impactful na coach for me."
Pessumal made the revelation in an appearance during the Kamustahan episode of the PBA. (RG)
