RR Pogoy and mentor Nash Racela have won numerous championships together.
After winning the UAAP crown together back in the 78th season of the league, the two went on a tear in the PBA D-League. Racela, who serves as the lead assistant coach with Phoenix-affiliate Accelerators, has won two more championships in the PBA D-League with the Cebuano.
Sunday afternoon, the two will try to replicate the same magic on a different stage as the TNT Katropa have drafted Pogoy in the special Gilas draft.
“Sobrang saya kasi nakamit ko na yung pangarap ko,” Pogoy said. “Tapos coach ko pa si coach Nash sa TNT.”
The 24-year-old had absolutely no idea that TNT would tap his services, and he feels blessed to be a part of a storied franchise.
“Oo excited ako doon. Alam naman natin ang TNT magandang team diba. Si coach Nash nandoon,” he added.
But what further excites the former Far Eastern University Tamaraw is the prospect of playing with Troy Rosario. Rosario and Pogoy were once rivals in the UAAP but had a chance to build a bond when they played together under the MJM Builders franchise in the PBA D-League back in 2015.
“Halos lahat tapos nagkakampi rin naman kami ni Troy kaya kakilala na rin kami,” the one-time UAAP gold medalist shared.
Outside of his offensive skill set, the 6-foot-2 wing is looking to bring his lockdown defense to the Katropa to complement Ryan Reyes — a former National Team member as well.
“Idol ko si Ryan Reyes talaga kahit nung nasa University of Cebu pa ako,” the Gilas cadet shared. “Kasi defender din siya e, tapos defender din ako. Ginagaya ko siya minsan.”
“Dadalhin ko yung yung aggressiveness ko tsaka yung depensa ko. Yun naman yung strength ko eh.”
