Roi Sumang joins Nueva Ecija in MPBL Invitational

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Another talented guard from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will be making his debut in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Roi Sumang, one of the quickest guards in the PBA, is officially suiting up for the Nueva Ecija Rice Vanguards this coming MPBL Invitational tournament.

The former 23^rd overall pick during the 2015 PBA Rookie Draft last saw action during the 2020 bubble when he played for the Blackwater Elite.

However, Sumang got shipped to the NLEX Road Warriors during the off-season after the bubble but wasn’t able to secure a contract with the Yeng Guiao-led team.

Sumang was also inactive during the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup and also failed to get acquired by the teams in the mid-season.

Now with Sumang already with the Rice Vanguards, the former PBA guard will look to form a big three together with Magnolia legends Marc Pingris and PJ Simon.

Nueva Ecija’s Charles Tiu confirmed last week that Pingris and Simon will be coming out of retirement to reinforce the team this coming December.

With three PBA big names under their slate, the Rice Vanguards are seeking to win their first-ever MPBL conference title this 2021.