MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga gunner Roger Pogoy is eyeing to return for his squad during their 2023 PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Christmas Day.
According to Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa, the Cebuano three-point gunner has passed every medical test that he undergone over the past weeks.
Pogoy, a former Far Eastern University Tamaraws standout, was earlier ruled out for the rest of the conference after being diagnosed with myocarditis during the offseason.
“May mga cardiologists na nag-check sa kanya. Every two weeks, mino-monitor pa rin si Roger pero ‘yung last niya na supposed to be na MRI, stress test, treadmill, lahat, he passed everything,” Lastimosa said in an interview with Spin.ph.
“Tinitignan namin ‘yung [December] 25. Baka maglaro si Roger,” he added. “That’s just over a month and that’s a big plus for us.”
Lastimosa admitted that he misses the presence of Pogoy on his roster, especially after the Tropang Giga recently terminated the contract of wantaway Mikey Williams.
“We miss Roger now that Mikey isn’t there, kaya at least papasok si Roger which is a consolation,” Lastimosa said. “He will be a good addition for us this conference.”
Pogoy averaged 18.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game last season for the Tropang Giga, which captured the PBA Governors’ Cup at the expense of the Gin Kings.
The Cebuano cager last played competitive basketball as part of the Gilas Pilipinas team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup before he was diagnosed with his ailment.
The injury-hit Tropang Giga currently has a 2-1 win-loss record in the Commissioner’s Cup after scoring back-to-back wins against Converge FiberXers and Terrafirma Dyip./PN
