ROGER Pogoy had a big night in Game One, but later had to issue an apology for his actions that coach Chot Reyes and TNT deemed unacceptable.
Pogoy said sorry during the postgame press conference for sticking his tongue out while scoring a lay-up on a fastbreak against San Miguel's Marcio Lassiter that enabled TNT to take a 79-69 lead with 7:48 left in Game One.
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The Tropang GIGA eventually won, 86-84, on the heroics by Jayson Castro to give his team the early lead in the best-of-seven finals series, but Pogoy was in a somber mood after being named Best Player of the Game.
“Maganda ‘yung laro ko pero may nagawa ako na ‘yun ang pinaka-hate sa team namin,” Pogoy admitted. “May isang instance na lumabas ‘yung dila ko.
"Nag-sorry talaga ako. Pati kay Marcio, nag-sorry ako kay Chris Ross. ‘Yun ang pinaka-ayaw sa team namin.”
Pogoy said he got swept up by the emotions of the game, but was the first to admit that his gesture was both disrespectful and unacceptable.
“Parang nadala ako sa emotion. Nag-sorry ako kila Kuya Jayson [Castro], coach Chot [Reyes]. Kaya inupo ako doon eh. Bawal sa amin ‘yun. Nadala ako sa emotion. Sorry talaga,” said Pogoy.
Reyes reiterated that mocking an opponent is strictly disallowed in the team and merited expulsion from a game.
“Muntik na siya umuwi nun,” said Reyes. “Sinave lang siya ng mga teammates niya. Our players know that it’s a no-no in our team. Kapag nakaka-shoot sila, walang gumaganun. Bawal talaga sa amin. It’s good na si Roger na ang nagsabi.”
Pogoy topscored for TNT with 26 points, scoring 10 points each in the second and third quarters to lift his team in a win sealed by that Castro buzzer-beater. The TNT gunner also shot 4-of-6 from threes in the contest.
“Unang-una, focus talaga ako sa depensa ko. Blessing ni Lord na nakuha ko ‘yung rhythm ko at nasu-shoot ko ‘yung three-points ko,” said Pogoy.
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