Rookie Pogoy delivers once more for TNT
MANILA, Philippines – The lack of Finals experience of several members of the TNT KaTropa was supposed to be an issue for Nash Racela's team heading into their championship series against the powerhouse San Miguel Beermen.
Racela himself noted that only six of his players have ever competed in a PBA Finals series before, and he was a rookie head coach. Nevertheless, the mentor was confident that his young players would not suffer from nerves, and instead rise to the occasion.
Proving Racela right in Game 1 of the best-of-seven Finals was rookie Roger Pogoy, who for long stretches of the game was the best player on the floor. The Far Eastern University product stunned the Beermen with a career-high 27 points in what turned out to be a 104-102 win for TNT.
"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Nash, kasi binigyan niya ako ng kumpiyansa, tapos sa lahat ng mga veterans, lahat ng mga teammates ko," said Pogoy, who has proven to be a perfect fit for TNT as a pro.
"Kaya parang 'pag maglaro (ako), parang wala lang, kasi lahat ng sinasabi nila, 'pag open, itira mo na," he explained.
It may have been Pogoy's first Finals game in the PBA, but the Cebuano guard is not new to big game situations. He won a UAAP title in Season 78 – with Racela as his coach – and has also suited up for Gilas Pilipinas, most recently in the SEABA Championships in May.
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/22/17/pba-rookie-pogoy-delivers-once-more-for-tnt
Racela himself noted that only six of his players have ever competed in a PBA Finals series before, and he was a rookie head coach. Nevertheless, the mentor was confident that his young players would not suffer from nerves, and instead rise to the occasion.
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| Roger Pogoy, shown in this file photo, scored a career-high 27 points in Game 1 of the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals. Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports |
"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Coach Nash, kasi binigyan niya ako ng kumpiyansa, tapos sa lahat ng mga veterans, lahat ng mga teammates ko," said Pogoy, who has proven to be a perfect fit for TNT as a pro.
"Kaya parang 'pag maglaro (ako), parang wala lang, kasi lahat ng sinasabi nila, 'pag open, itira mo na," he explained.
It may have been Pogoy's first Finals game in the PBA, but the Cebuano guard is not new to big game situations. He won a UAAP title in Season 78 – with Racela as his coach – and has also suited up for Gilas Pilipinas, most recently in the SEABA Championships in May.
Source: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/22/17/pba-rookie-pogoy-delivers-once-more-for-tnt
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