ROGER Pogoy lamented suffering cramps at the most inopportune time, just when TNT needed him most in their sudden-death game against Rain or Shine for a seat in the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup.
The veteran gunner had to leave the game with 2:19 remaining on Wednesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium due to cramps in his right leg, with the Tropang Giga trailing by just a point, 101-100.
He never returned, and TNT lost, 110-109.
“My whole leg cramped up. I really couldn’t continue,” Pogoy admitted. “Even when our PTs pressed on it, it just kept stiffening up.”
The pain was so unbearable that Pogoy had to be wheeled off on a stretcher as he couldn’t walk on his own. However, he refused to be taken to the dugout immediately, opting to watch the remaining minutes from the sideline as the Tropang Giga’s comeback ultimately fell short.
Feeling of helplessness
Pogoy admitted feeling helpless as TNT failed to advance to the semifinals for the second straight conference.
“It’s so frustrating. Two minutes is a long time,” he said. “And we were just one point behind. It’s painful because I couldn’t help my team.”
Pogoy finished with 22 points on 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, while grabbing six rebounds and adding four assists. Despite the slight limp, Pogoy was able to walk on his own as he emerged from the gloomy TNT dugout more than an hour after the heartbreaking loss.
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