CLARK FREEPORT--Showing no rust despite the league’s long layoff, TNT guard Roger Pogoy said his familiarity to isolation helped him come through with a career showing in the historic first game of PBA bubble on Sunday night at the Angeles University Foundation Arena here.
The Gilas Pilipinas standout fired a career-high 45 points built on 10 triples and an overall 17-for-29 field-goal shooting to propel the Tropang Giga to their first win in the Philippine Cup—the lone conference this season—at the expense of the Alaska Aces, 100-95.
“Siguro advantage ko ‘yung sanay na ‘ko mag-isa kasi wala naman akong kasama sa condo,” said Pogoy, who became just the fifth player in PBA history to knock down at least eight three-pointers in three games.
“Sanay ako na pagkatapos ng practice uwi rin ako agad. Ganun lang din ‘yung routine ko eh so advantage ‘yun para sa’kin.”
With his explosive performance, fans were quick to deem Pogoy as a possible candidate for a bubble Most Valuable Player award, should there be any.
But for the 28-year-old Cebuano hotshot, it's still early to say as he just wants to focus on remaining consistent throught the shortened season.
"'Di ko muna iisipin kung ano yung gusto nila itawag sa'kin. As long as manalo kami, maganda 'yung nilaro at nanalo 'yung team, 'yun talaga ang focus ko ngayon," he said.
"'Yun ang pinakamahirap eh ang i-sustain 'yung ganong laro. Gagawin ko lang talaga yung best ko. Kahit 'di naman ganun yung points as long as makatulong ako sa team at manalo ang team namin."