TNT won’t be having its best perimeter scorer and defender for the start of its PBA Philippine Cup Finals rematch against reigning champion San Miguel.
Roger Pogoy has yet to fully recover from the hamstring injury that made him miss the Tropang 5G’s closeout game in the semis against the Meralco Bolts.
Coach Chot Reyes said it is still uncertain on whether the veteran guard could return or not at some point in the entire best-of-seven title series.
“It’s very unpredictable. It doesn’t look good to be very honest about it,” according to Reyes when he appeared in the Power & Play program of former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
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“Alam mo 'yung hamstring muscle, hindi naman 'yan nate-therapy. It’s just rest and recovery.”
It’s been a week since the 33-year-old Pogoy reinjured his hamstring in a 102-83 Game 4 win by the Tropang 5G at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Cebuano guard out of Far Eastern University suited up for only 64 seconds in the first quarter before sustaining the injury.
In four games in the semis, Pogoy averaged 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, while ranking among the top four Tropang 5G shooters from the free throw line at 80 percent.
The title series kicks off on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, and Reyes doesn’t see one of his reliable scorers and defenders ready for the game.
“I don’t see him playing at least in the first two games,” he said. “I’d be really surprised kung makalaro siya.
“So we’re praying mapabilis 'yung kanyang recovery, yung healing process. But like we said, there’s nothing we can do about it. Hindi yan puwedeng strengthen, hindi 'yan puwedeng palakasin.”
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