In his first public appearance after the announcement that he will miss six months due to a rare heart disease, Roger Pogoy promises one thing: He will be back on the basketball floor.
While watching his alma mater Far Eastern University’s game in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Basketball Tournament against Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, Pogoy stated: “Unang una, sa lahat ng fans, thankful ako sa grabe nilang suporta sa akin.
“Ipa-promise ko talaga na babalik ako. Tiwala ako kay Lord na babalik talaga ako.”
The Gilas Pilipinas mainstay then explained his condition.
Pogoy shared that he first experienced unusual fatigue after the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. That then prompted him to get some tests done.
He should have been a shoo-in for the eventual-Asian Games gold medalists but needed to back out due to the procedures.
“Una, parang nanghihina ako, pagod ako. So ayun, nagpacheck kami, nakita. Yun nga, meron nga. May nakitang myocarditis sabi ng doctor,” said the 31-year-old Cebuano who plays for TNT.
“May mga test akong ginawa tapos ayun nalaman, pahinga muna tapos babalik ako. After six months, babalik ako, lalaro ako ulit,” he continued.
“Wala namang gamot, pahinga lang muna talaga, hintayin na mawala, mga six months siguro.”
Pogoy is grateful that upon learning his condition, support from the Tropang Giga, the Tamaraws, and his fans poured in.
He specifically thanked his bosses in TNT, team owner Manny Pangilinan and team governor Ricky Vargas, as well as current Gilas team manager Alfrancis Chua. His coach in FEU, Nash Racela, also visited him at his home.
“Full support talaga sila, inaalagaan talaga ako nila so thankful talaga ako, lalo na kina Boss MVP, Boss Ricky, Boss Al, sa lahat ng mga coaches, mga teammates ko. Minemessage nila ako, kaya thankful talaga ako,” said Pogoy, a two-time PBA champion.
“Yun din ang nagbigay ng lakas sa akin, ang pamilya ko, kahit mga fans ko, minemessage nila ako.”
