By REYNALD MAGALLON
RR Pogoy heaved a sigh of relief as he is getting more time to rest and recover before the PBA Philippine Cup Finals where his TNT will be vying for the coveted Grand Slam.
With the Tropang 5G only needing six games to dispose of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the other series between San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra going the distance, Pogoy got a week worth of rest with Game 1 happening on Sunday, July 13.
In hindsight, Pogoy and the banged-up TNT, somehow need to thank Ginebra for extending their series with SMB as a Beermen victory in Game 6 would have set the series opener of the Finals set on Wednesday, July 9.
“Dasal nga ako ng dasal eh na sana manalo kami ngayon kasi nalaman namin na Sunday pa. So malaking bagay sa akin na one week makapahinga pa ako. Tingnan natin,” said Pogoy after his Tropang 5G pulled off the series-clinching, 97-87 win.
Pogoy has been on the sickbay since Game 2 of the semis due to a hamstring – a huge dampener for him especially following a couple of explosive performances in the playoffs.
His scoring is sorely missed by the Tropang 5G as well, especially with Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro already out for the season and Kelly Williams also down with an ankle injury. Even Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading are both playing through injuries.
Seeing them battle through it in the series, Pogoy said he’s been fighting the itch to return and play.
“Dasal ako ng dasal na sana makabalik ako kasi ang hirap panoorin na makikita mo yung mga kakampi mo na talagang nagtitrabaho tapos ikaw nasa upuan ka lang so talagang nagdadasal ako,” he added.
Pogoy said he was limited to shooting drills so far although he’s now only waiting for the green light to join the scrimmage.
