It may just be a simple reminder from his ‘kuya,’ but Roger Pogoy took it to heart and made sure to relay as much to all of his brothers in arms in TNT.
That’s why it should no longer come as a surprise that TNT managed to take down Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday night — despite the gaping hole left by no less than Jayson Castro.
“Sabi niya before kami umuwi, ‘Ger, sabihan mo ‘yung mga boys na ‘wag kayo matakot maglaro, laruin niyo lang ‘yung laro niyo kahit na wala si Kuya Jayson, kaya niyo ‘yan,'” he said shortly after their 95-89 win at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Pogoy and some members of the Tropang Giga recently paid Castro a visit in his home in Guagua, Pampanga, where the 38-year-old continues to recover after undergoing surgery on his right knee to repair a torn patellar tendon.
That day was filled with catching up as they all wanted to make sure that their captain is doing well after suffering the first major injury of his career.
It was much to the delight of Castro, according to Pogoy, that people from the team took the time to drive all the way to his hometown prior to the Finals.
“Tuwang-tuwa nga siya eh. Kasama ko ‘yung mga boys, ;yung mga utility namin. Kami kasi ‘yan palagi e, nagtatawanan sa ensayo. Nagka-break, binisita namin, yun. Nagre-recover na si kuya Jayson,” said the nine-year pro.
Pogoy and the boys were happy, too, and grateful as well for being hosted graciously by their vet, who happily treated them with sumptuous food.
“Sarap pa nga ng kain namin eh. Nagpakain na, na nagpasalubong pa,” the Cebuano star said with a chuckle. “Kare-kare… Basta, marami eh.”
But what he really remembered from that visit was Castro’s message for the whole team, which they all showed how much they kept that in mind.
The FEU product led by example, going 5-of-10 from three for 15 points to help the Tropa set the tone early to eventually write Game 1 in their favor.
He also took it upon himself to let his fellow key cogs such as Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac know that they should be performing as best as they could, given that the stage has become bigger and the lights have shone brighter.
The two aptly responded, finishing with 10 points apiece on four triples combined to help Pogoy provide support for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“Kinausap ko si Rey tsaka si Calvin. Sabi ko sa kanila, bawal tayo magka-bad game,” the three-time league champion said. “Kasi kailangan na kailangan tayo. Kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan good game tayo palagi.”
That should make their Kuya Jayson proud.
#WATCH: “Bawal tayo mag bad game!”
Roger Pogoy shares his message to Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac before the #PBA2025 Finals showdown 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/XqwNLwViee
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 14, 2025
