SMART CLARK GIGA CITY--When things were going down, Roger Pogoy looked up.
Pogoy admitted asking for divine intervention when he was struggling from the field prior to TNT's 92-79 victory over Meralco on Saturday night at the AUF Arena.
After averaging 21.7 points in the first seven games including a career-high 45 points in the bubble opener, the 28-year-old guard was held to just seven markers on a measly 3-of-14 shooting clip in the Tropang Giga's 102-92 loss to the Magnolia Hotshots on Wednesday.
The Cebuano cager continued to miss on Friday night, scoring 12 points on a sour 4-of-15 field goal shooting in TNT's 85-79 defeat to Ginebra.
"Last two games ko, nag-struggle talaga 'ko. Seryoso after the game (against Ginebra) kagabi, sakto 'yung roommate ko umalis, ginawa ko lang talaga is nagdasal ako," Pogoy said.
"Paubaya ko na lang kay Lord talaga lahat kasi noong last two games libre naman 'yung mga tira ko pero 'di talaga ma-shoot so nagdasal na lang talaga ako."
Pogoy's prayer was answered as he regained his shooting form to erupt for 27 points on a 12-of-24 shooting from the field and power the Tropang Giga past the Bolts.
While he missed all his four three-point attempts, the Gilas Pilipinas standout made up for it by going for strong layups and smooth jumpers.
"Off-night lang talaga (in the past two games). So ang ginawa ko is 'di lang ako nag-rely sa three-point shooting ko. Puro drive and high-percentage shots ang ginawa ko."
It was a big bounce-back effort not just for the former FEU star but for the whole TNT squad as well.
The playoff-bound Tropang Giga halted a two-game slide and solidified their twice-to-beat bid with a 7-3 slate.
"Importante sa'min 'to. Ang hirap pumunta ng playoffs na talunan ka. Kahit maganda 'yung start namin, mas importante na nananalo kami papuntang playoffs," said Pogoy.