ALL RR Pogoy wanted was a chance to play limited minutes for TNT, maybe regain his footing and help the Tropang 5G in what little way he can as they’re only four wins away from winning the PBA Philippine Cup, and eventually the grand slam.
Limited minutes he did get as he played only 18 minutes the entire game.
His impact though? Business as usual.
READ: TNT escapes in Game One as controversial call dampens SMB rally
Pogoy had himself a glorious return after missing four games with a strained hamstring for TNT as he starred in the Tropang 5G’s 99-96 win over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 of the best-of-seven finals of the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday.
The Cebuano guard finished with a team-high 23 points, making 7-11 of his shots including 2/2 on fours and 3/6 from three three point line.
What made his performance even more impressive was that his hamstring hasn't fully healed yet, sharing how he hasn’t even had full-contact practice with the team yet.
“Actually, hindi pa ko sumasali sa ensayo. Gusto ko talaga maglaro sa Game One. Sabi ko, ‘Coach, kahit two minutes, three minutes lang’ kasi gusto ko talaga maglaro.' Thank God kasi pumapasok ang mga tira ko. Hindi pa talaga ako 100 percent,” he said.
“May shootaround pero walang [full contact] practice, yung takbuhan talaga.”
Pogoy was at his best in the spot minutes that he played in the first two quarters, leading TNT’s big half by firing 15 points in just six minutes of play. TNT took a 61-41 lead in that stretch.
While he did cool down in the second half just when the Beermen were making a comeback, he did drain the biggest shot of the night for TNT - a three-pointer to put the Tropang 5G ahead 97-96 with 64 seconds remaining in the game.
“Alam niyo naman San Miguel, pag binigyan mo ng chance yan talagang ang hirap kalabanin, hahabulin kahit ilan pang lamang niyo dyan,” Pogoy said.
His shot was the biggest of the night as it turned out to be TNT’s go-ahead basket, with Mo Tautuaa’s dunk a possession later being overturned for offensive interference – the center of Game 1’s controversial finish.
READ: SMB weighs protest: 'That’s the exact opposite of the right call'
Still, Pogoy isn’t about to let that controversy steal his shine in this game. The breaks of the game, after all, don't only swing one way.
“Ganun talaga e, minsan may game din yata kami dati [na breaks went against us] so bahala na committee dun basta kami laro lang.”
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