TNT’s RR Pogoy sat out the last two quarters and the extra period, but the Tropang 5G rallied behind him for the win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Add RR Pogoy to the list of TNT Tropang 5G players in the sick bay.
Pogoy sustained a left hamstring injury in TNT’s 113-105 overtime win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals on Friday, June 27.
It turned out, the TNT gunner already felt that in the gruelling quarterfinal game against the Magnolia Hotshots.
“Actually Game 2 pa lang ng Magnolia may nararamdaman na 'ko. Nilaro ko lang matapos nung Game 2, yung Game 1,” he said.
“Tsaka kanina na lang nung nag-layup ako, parang wala, hindi ko na maangat. Nung tiningnan ng doktor, hindi naman siya grabe. Pero pinapahinga lang ako para hindi mag-grabe.”
He had 11 points before sitting out the rest of the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
This is another big blow for the TNT side already missing the services of injured stars and Finals MVPs Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac.
But such is the situation now for coach Chot Reyes and company, with the only recourse making do with the remaining cards on his deck.
“Just the next-man-up mentality. The way the team is constructed is so that we could have depth in these positions just in case something like that happened,” Reyes said.
Pogoy agreed.
“Sobrang challenging kasi ang dami nang nado-down sa amin, tapos alam niyo naman na may goal talaga. Kailangan manalo, mag-Finals. Pero ganun talaga. Pagdaanan muna 'yung hirap bago ka mag-champion, bago ka mag-Finals,” he said.
The 33-year-old cager have his injury checked on Saturday, June 28.
Right now, though, there is no clear timeline for the Cebuano hotshot, who will highly likely skip Game 3 upon the advice of team doctor.
“Sabi ng doktor day to day pero Sunday parang hindi pa ata kaya talaga,” he said.