Injured RR Pogoy on PBA Finals Game 5 status: ''Pag walang sakit, maglalaro ako'

RR Pogoy aggravated his hamstring injury early in Game 4 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals between TNT and San Miguel Wednesday, Jan. 28.

The incident happened with still 10:40 to go in the second period, when Pogoy and Jericho Cruz were going for the loose ball.

“Na-strain ulit. Pero sobrang liit lang talaga. Kaunti lang. 'Di lang talaga fully healed kaya't bumalik,” said Pogoy after his squad's 110-87 demolition of the Beermen at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

[RELATED STORY: Chot Reyes pleased as TNT ties PBA Finals series vs San Miguel in Game 4]

Before his exit, Pogoy had six points, two rebounds and an assist.

The Cebuano shooter said he was actually not supposed to see action in Game 3 as he was not yet at full strength.

Pogoy missed the first two games of the Finals because of the said injury.

[RELATED STORY: Cjay Perez rues SMB’s lack of effort, energy in Game 4 loss to TNT: 'Sobrang sama']

But following the heartbreaking Game 2 loss, Pogoy knew he needed to contribute.

“Hindi pa talaga ako fully healed. Pinilit ko lang naman talaga kasi gusto ko talagang maglaro. Ayokong iwanan 'yong team kong sila lang ang maglalaro,” he said.

“Tapos ang sakit ng pagkatalo noong Game 2 kaya noong Game 3, tinanong pa nga ako ni Coach Chot (Reyes), 'Ano ba, kaya mo? Baka bumigay 'yan.' Sabi ko, 'Oo, kaya, coach. Ilalaro ko 'to. Ako talaga ang nagpilit na gusto kong maglaro.” 

Asked if he will play come Game 5 Friday, Jan. 30, Pogoy said that if he feels no pain, he will suit up.

“Hindi ko lang alam kung papayag sila, pero kung ako, 'pag ma-feel kong walang sakit, maglalaro ako,” said Pogoy.

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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.