In the waning seconds of the first quarter of Game Four, Roger Pogoy threw a rainbow from beyond the arc. His shot went in, and that triple gave the TNT Katropa a 27-24 advantage over the San Miguel Beermen at the end of the quarter.
The rookie’s made triple was not just an ordinary shot, though; it was a relieving sight for the whole Katropa, as it signaled the end of Pogoy’s slump, in which he had gone scoreless on a combined 0-of-13 shooting in Games 2 and 3. And even the commentators on the telecast made a big deal about it, calling the shot as if it was a game-winner.
“Natuwa ako nung na-shoot ko yung first three points ko,” proudly said the 25-year-old neophyte out of Far Eastern University.
“Nag-struggle ako pero nagdasal ako kay Lord, na si Lord na bahala.”
Clearly, it was an answered prayer for the Gilas Cadet. Pogoy finally regained his groove, finishing with 14 points on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting alongside three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
And most of all, his output did not go to naught, as the Katropa came out victorious, 102-97, to even the best-of-seven Finals series to two games apiece.
“Masaya kasi back-to-zero na. Best-of-three na,” said an elated Pogoy, who was TNT’s hero in Game 1 with 27 points, after the bout at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
“Pero ‘di pa tapos, kasi best-of-seven pa rin.”
After erupting in the series’ curtain-raiser, the native of Minglanilla, Cebu was a marked man by San Miguel’s defense. But now that he has got back on track, it is safe to say that he has finally adjusted to what the defense gives him.
“Oo nag-adjust din ako,” shared the 2017 SEABA Championship gold medalist.
And speaking of adjustments, Pogoy is aware that another set of tweaks will take place come Game Five on Friday still at the Big Dome, where both Katropa and Beermen are aiming to earn a pivotal 3-2 series lead.
“Mas mahirap kasi alam naman natin na mas mag-aadjust sila. Adjust din kami,” said Pogoy.
