CHICAGO — Logging 45 minutes and 21 seconds of action, Roger Pogoy gave everything he could in Game Seven.
Despite his 15-point effort and gallant stand guarding Justin Brownlee, Ginebra still escaped with an 88-76 victory.
But failing to defend their Season 49 PBA Commissioner’s Cup title appears to be the least of TNT’s heartaches.
On Wednesday night, before a record crowd of 24,617 at the MOA Arena, Roger Pogoy may have played his last game in a Tropang 5G jersey.
Set to become an unrestricted free agent next month and with no contract extension offer on the table, the Cebuano from Minglanilla will explore the open market, multiple sources told me.
Just to be clear, the 6-foot-2, 180-lb guard is not unhappy or disgruntled, he just wants to peek how the grass is much greener on the overseas side of the basketball universe.
BULLISH MARKET
Roger, a four-time PBA champion and six-time PBA All-Star, will attract more interest than a bank loan.
“With his national team credentials, Pogoy will easily make $18,000 a month in the KBL. If he does well, his contract extension will escalate to $22,000 a month” a licensed FIBA agent based in Korea told me on Thursday.
In the Japan B.League, the 34-year old who has no major injury history could command “up to $30,000 a month” according to a US-based agent who has clients playing all over Asia.
Money won’t blind Pogoy, a tier 1 PBA player whose expiring contract pays him P900,000 a month including perks and bonuses, a source with knowledge of the situation said.
But the idea of playing in another country and embracing a foreign culture couod entice Pogoy to try a change of scenery after being with TNT since 2016.
A potential Pogoy departure could create a crisis in personnel for the flagship franchise of the MVP Group.
AGING CORE.
Poy Erram, 36. is in and out of the lineup and now prone to injuries.
Jayson Castro, 39, has seen better days and missed Game 7 with an ankle sprain.
While he still has bursts of brilliance, former league MVP Kelly Williams is 44 and inching closer to a pension.
Calvin Oftana has a standing offer in the KBL and could exit in 18 months.
Pogoy is the glue.
But can TNT keep him?
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