Roger Pogoy has become one of TNT KaTropa’s offensive linchpins in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.
The Texters started the conference with back-to-back losses, but Pogoy was the silver lining in both setbacks. Across those games, the third-year guard out of Far Eastern University averaged 25.5 points and 14.0 rebounds.
Pogoy wasn’t able to replicate his numbers versus the NLEX Road Warriors on Wednesday, however. But he was still the KaTropa’s top scorer with 20 points alongside seven rebounds, to lead his side to their first win, 85-80.
For the Cebuano cager, he embraces his role as one of TNT’s options on offense.
“Unang-una, parang kinakabahan nga ako sa role na yun kasi FEU pa lang, defensive player na talaga ako eh. Second na yung offense. Ngayon, parang tine-take ko as a challenge sa sarili ko yun,” said Pogoy, who had played behind the likes of Mac Belo and Mike Tolomia with the Tamaraws.
“Kasi binigyan talaga ako ng play ni coach para lang sa opensa ko.”
Among the highlights of Pogoy’s game on Wednesday were his end-game wits. When NLEX knocked within two, 77-79, with 2:52 remaining in the final period, Pogoy knocked a cold-blooded triple to widen the gap to five with 43 ticks left.
“Hindi sa’kin yun, pero wala na mapasahan si kuya Jayson [Castro] eh. Buti nakita niya ako. Yun ang sinasabi ko na abang-abang lang ako,” said Pogoy.
And when Castro failed to shut the door – as he only split his freebies with 14.4 seconds left – Pogoy was there to atone for his veteran teammate. He sank both of his charities with less than two seconds left to seal the deal.
He may have shone brightly in their breakthrough win, but Pogoy is simply relieved that he and the KaTropa were finally able to close out the game – something they failed to do when they lost to the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters last January 19.
“Sabi ni coach [Bong Ravena], ‘wag na bibitaw. Kasi last game ganun din eh, dikit yung laban tapos bumitaw kami. Salamat natuto kami from last game.”
