A TONGUE-LASHING from TNT coach Chot Reyes lit a fire in RR Pogoy’s belly on Sunday in their PBA Philippine Cup match-up against reigning champion Meralco.
Pogoy incurred Reyes' ire when he issued an errant pass after being tapped in a double team inside, leading to an easy fastbreak lay-up by Chris Newsome that gave Meralco a 25-17 lead in the second quarter.
READ Hat-trick of wins for TNT as Pogoy's timely barrage sinks Meralco
Reyes was left outraged by Pogoy’s turnover, but that single error turned into a wake-up call for the veteran guard who ended up putting together a season-best 34-point night in TNT’s 101-84 victory over Meralco.
He went on to make 5 of his 8 shots from three-point distance and even hit one four on the way to his best scoring output of the season.
“Naramdaman ko nung pinagalitan ako ni coach kasi pasa ko, sobrang lakas. Kailangan kong bumawi,” said Pogoy, when asked what got him in rhythm. “Kailangan kong maging leader as a beterano sa team.”
The 32-year-old Pogoy never committed another turnover following that scolding from Reyes.
“May ginagawa akong mali, iniisip ko kasi talaga ‘yung pasa ko doon, dino-double ako pero mali ‘yung technique ko. Pinagalitan ako ni coach, ‘Ano ba ‘yung ginagawa mo?’ Pumasok sa isip ko na pagpasok ko uli, babawi ako uli. Tuluy-tuloy na,” Pogoy said.
Thanks to Pogoy’s shooting touch, TNT has now evened its record after six games following an 0-3 start to their grand slam bid.
Pogoy admitted his game continues to be a work in progress as he aspires to lead by example at TNT.
“Kailangan ipakita sa mga bago kung paano maglaro ng tama. First three games namin, ako nga beterano ako pero nagbubuwakaw ako, sumusunod din sila Calvin (Oftana), Sting Rey [Nambatac].
"Sinabihan din kami ni coach. Sabi ko nga, mag-iistart sa amin ni Sting Rey, Calvin, ako kasi mas matagal ‘yung bola sa amin,” said Pogoy.
Despite his scoring spree, Pogoy said his focus will remain on defense.
“Coming into this game, focus lagi sa akin depensa lang talaga, susunod lang ‘yung offense. Ilang games na nga, ilan lang points ko. Basta focus ko depensa," said the Cebuano guard. "Grateful, blessed na pumapasok ‘yung tira ko."
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