ROGER Pogoy is taking the PBA Philippine Cup finals a little bit personally.
In as much as the TnT franchise is driven to end a six-year title drought, the Cebuano gunner is just as eager to finally land his first ever championship as a pro.
Thrice already Pogoy played in the finals, and each time he and the Tropang Giga fell short.
Hopefully, that should not be the case this time.
"Sa akin sobrang magiging special ito kung makuha man namin, kasi wala pa akong championship," said the 29-year-old Pogoy, considered one of the top gunners in the league today.
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"So first time talaga ito kung ibibigay ni Lord," he added. "Pero hindi lang ito fate, kailangan pag-trabahuhan namin."
Last year in the same conference finals against Barangay Ginebra at the Clark bubble, Pogoy had to carry most of the offensive brunt for TnT in the wake of the injuries suffered by Jayson Castro and Bobby Ray Parks during the course of the series the Tropang Giga lost, 4-1.
This season though, Pogoy is getting a lot of help, with rookie Mikey Williams showing the way in the first two games of the finals dominated by TnT that moved it halfway through winning the franchise's first crown in six years.
A healthy Jayson Castro likewise continues to provide backcourt stability for the team, big men Poy Erram, Troy Rosario, and Kelly Williams aren't losing any steps, so does veteran guards Ryan Reyes and Brian Heruela, along with TnT bunch of role players like Kib Montalbo, Glenn Khobuntin, Dave Marcelo, Ping Exciminiano, Jayjay Alejandro, Chris Javier, and Gryann Mendoza are providing a lot of support from the bench.
And Pogoy?
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He's still doing his thing, averaging 8.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in the finals, while concentrating on playing defense against Paul Lee after doing the same against Marcio Lassiter in the semifinals series against San Miguel.
"Sa totoo lang, sinabihan ako ni coach (Chot Reyes) na huwag ako mag-focus sa offense ko. Dati, kinukuha nga ako sa Gilas dahil depensa ko. Tapos yung offense ko, susunod na lang daw yan," said Pogoy.
That's how bad Pogoy wants to win. He'll do everything just to get his first ever championship. (RG)
