Von Pessumal embraces bigger role, fresh start with NorthPort Batang Pier

Von Pessumal is ready to turn the page on his PBA career, beginning a new chapter with the NorthPort Batang Pier as he gears up for the league’s 50th season.

The five-time PBA champion expressed gratitude to San Miguel Corporation, which had been his home for most of his professional journey, before shifting his excitement to the opportunities awaiting him with NorthPort.

“First of all, super thankful ako sa San Miguel [Corp]. They took care of me for my whole career. Even ‘till the last point, they helped me out. Thankful ako,” said Pessumal, who suited up for San Miguel from 2017 to 2022 before joining Barangay Ginebra from 2022 until early 2025.

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Good luck and thank you, Von Pessumal and Paul Garcia, as you start new chapters with NorthPort and Terrafirma.#OnceAKingAlwaysAKing pic.twitter.com/TnTYanvuvu

— Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (@brgyginebraphl) September 18, 2025

“I’m excited sa new team na ‘to. New team, new opportunity for me. Siyempre, I’m getting older. I think it’s my 10th year. I’m just trying to enjoy every year. New team so siyempre, they are looking at me as a veteran player na,” the Ateneo standout added.

Interestingly, Pessumal is back with the same franchise that drafted him in 2016 under its former GlobalPort name, this time returning as a veteran presence for a squad also in transition.

NorthPort is currently awaiting PBA board approval of its sale to Pureblends Corporation.

Pessumal sees promise in the group, especially with a mix of veterans and hungry young talents eager to prove themselves.

“I think all of the guys are really working hard everyday. Unang-una, these guys, we all have something to prove. Obviously, a lot of these guys are young guys trying to make a career out of themselves. We have some older guys like sila Calvin (Abueva), Josh (Munzon), still trying to prove that they are one of the best players in the PBA,” he noted.

After appearing in just 21 of Ginebra’s 71 games last season and averaging 2.2 points in limited minutes, Pessumal now looks primed for a bigger role with NorthPort, judging by his increased playing time in preseason tune-ups. 

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