When Colegio de San Juan de Letran was in the face of a two-set deficit and in search of answers against San Sebastian College-Recoletos last Tuesday, the Knights turned to Moi Sumagaysay to change the tone.
And the rookie playmaker delivered, helping the squad flip the switch and pull off a gritty reverse sweep against the Stags, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-19, 15-10, to stretch their winning streak to three in the NCAA Season 100 men's volleyball.
In the escape act, the 19-year-old setter poured in 20 excellent sets, including clutch back-to-back passes that led to a pair of running attacks from middle blocker Dave Lardizabal in the crucial fifth set.
Sumagaysay said that it was simply a matter of staying ready whenever the coaching staff called his name. But more than that, he credited his performance to a warrior mentality that’s been deeply ingrained in him since his high school days.
The 5-foot-6 setter is a product of University of the East high school volleyball program in the UAAP, having suited up for the Junior Warriors in Seasons 85 and 86. With him leading the playmaking, UE captured bronze in his first season before settling for silver the following year to the NU Nazareth School Bullpups.
"Prepared naman po ako lagi kasi sabi naman po ng coaches na dapat laging ready kasi every time na mawala ‘yung isa, dapat may kapalit," Sumagaysay told GMA News Online.
"Siguro nabago po ['yung laro namin] pero same lang naman po ‘yung ginagawa namin, nadagdagan lang po ng kaunti."
Setting up the plays, though, wasn't Sumagaysay's first love. Inspired by his mother, who also used to play volleyball back in the days, the young Sumagaysay initially played as libero in elementary.
But he was later converted to setter, which he eventually grew to love just as much.
"‘Yung family ko po naglalaro po talaga ng volleyball. ‘Yung nanay at tita ko po naglalaro po so na-inspire po ako kay Mama," he added.
"Since 11 years old po naglalaro na ako. Libero po talaga gusto ko, nu’ng elementary po libero talaga ako tapos nu’ng nawalan po kami ng setter cinonvert po ako ang ayon tuloy-tuloy na po."
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
