The TNT Katropa were slightly unstable in their first four games of the 2017 Governor’s Cup, having won just two of them — understandable, since they had played with a depleted lineup.
The Katropa saw three of their players — Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro, and Troy Rosario — loaned to Gilas Pilipinas. But now that Pogoy and Castro have returned, things are starting to look up.
And on Friday night at the Big Dome, the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup stalwarts came back in the best way they could, helping TNT come back to the win column by staving off Brandon Brown and the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 111-103.
“Happy ako kasi sa pagbalik namin, nanalo kami. Galing kami sa talo eh,” said Pogoy, who produced 13 points and was maximized right away by head coach Nash Racela, as he played for 33 minutes and 39 seconds.
Of the two cagers fresh from Lebanon, Pogoy has had the least rest. After landing in Manila earlier this week, the Cebuano returned to his mother team a day after, resuming his duties as if he wasn’t coming off a grueling tourney.
“Nag-ensayo kaagad ako,
“Kasi maraming injured, kulang-kulang kami. Nung last game, baka siguro yun yung dahilan kasi kulang players,” he added, regarding their loss last Sunday versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The Far Eastern University standout admitted that he has yet to get ample rest. But that does not matter to him anymore, as he — along with his Gilas mates — is keen to help TNT play better in the coming games.
“As long as maglalaro kami, tutulungan namin yung TNT na bigyan ng maganda standing,” said the rookie.
