RR Pogoy, nursing a hamstring injury, skipped Game 3 of TNT's semifinal joust with Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
RR Pogoy's absence was sorely felt by TNT, but head coach Chot Reyes refused to use it as an excuse following his squad's 86-107 loss to Rain or Shine in Game 3 of the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday, June 29.
Pogoy aggravated his left hamstring injury in the second quarter of Game 2 two days ago, forcing him to sit out the rest of the match. Calvin Oftana took up the cudgels for Pogoy and TNT pulled through, 113-105, in overtime.
But it wasn't the same in Game 3.
Without Pogoy, the Tropang 5G struggled to get their offense going, and the Elasto Painters finally chalked up a win in their best-of-seven encounter.
Still, no excuses.
“It’s a big factor but not an excuse,” said Reyes after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
“Rain or Shine came out and wanted the game so much more. They were a lot more aggressive. We’re not able to match it,” Reyes said.
[RELATED STORY: Calvin Oftana holds fort for RR Pogoy in TNT's PBA semis Game 2 win: 'Ako na bahala, migo']
Calvin Oftana is limited to 16 points in Game 3 after a 39-point explosion the last time out. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
The Grand Slam-seeking squad, however, still holds the lead at 2-1.
It could quickly right the ship to regain control of the series in Game 4 on Wednesday, July 2, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Match unfurls at 7:30 p.m. following the 5 p.m. clash between Ginebra (2-1) and San Miguel.
But the Tropang 5G will likely head on to battle without Pogoy, according to Reyes.
“Hopefully, (Pogoy can get to play). But malabo pa rin 'yon. It’s very doubtful,” said Reyes.
(With reports from Gillian Trinidad/One Sports Digital)