Roger Pogoy is already a veteran internationalist himself, but he has yet to play in the Southeast Asian Games.
For the 27-year-old, it is his wish to play in the biennial multi-sport event. And his wish might soon be realized now that he has been included in the 15-man talent pool for the meet.
Pogoy would love to be part of the final 12-man lineup. But if that won’t happen, the TNT KaTropa guard won’t harbor any ill feelings, as being in the pool alone is already an honor.
“Sana nga ma-lineup, pero kung hindi naman okay lang naman. Masali ka na sa pool isang karangalan na yun eh. Kahit anong mangyari thankful pa rin ako sa blessings tulad nito,” he said.
This will mark yet another campaign for Pogoy with the national team in just a short span of time. He has just come off a stint in the FIBA World Cup last September, where Gilas went winless in five games.
Pogoy hasn’t had the chance to take a much-needed breather, since he immediately buckled down for work with TNT when he joined them in Macau for the East Asia Super League-Terrific 12.
But the proud son of Cebu does not have any complaints.
“May pagod, pero blessing na rin yan eh,” said Pogoy, who has been with the Gilas program since 2016.
“Yung habang bata ka, kung makakasali ka, dapat sasali ka talaga.”
Gilas now has its third coach in less than a year, though Cone is only in as a stop-gap measure. Others might see the situation as unstable, but Pogoy sees it as an opportunity to learn.
During his national team stint, Pogoy has gone through Chot Reyes, Yeng Guiao, and soon Tim Cone. And for the Far Eastern University product, he calls himself lucky to be under their wings.
“Sinasabi ko nga sa sarili ko na swerte ako na na-coach ako ng mga bigatin na coaches,” he said.
“Una si coach Nash [Racela] sa FEU. Tapos coach Chot, tapos coach Yeng. Ngayon naman si coach Tim.”
