TNT swingman Roger Pogoy.–PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY—RR Pogoy will take part in next Sunday’s PBA All-Star Game in Bacolod City after being tapped as a replacement for the injured Tyler Tio.
The league said Sunday that the TNT star is going to fill up the vacated spot for Team Japeth in the exhibition classic as Tio continues to recover from a sprained ankle he sustained during Phoenix’s opening assignment in the Philippine Cup.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
Pogoy is set to play in his fifth All-Star Game in the event slated at University of St. La Salle Gym despite missing a good portion of the Commissioner’s Cup due to a heart condition.
His absence weighed heavily in his failure to garner the nod in the fan voting and the same process taken by both the coaches and media.
READ: PBA: Phoenix guard Tyler Tio has a fan in Ginebra coach Tim Cone
No official word as of posting time as to how Pogoy was included for the All-Star classic.
Team Japeth has been reduced to a 12-man roster with Barangay Ginebra’s Scottie Thompson also out due to a nagging back problem.
But a league source said Thompson will still travel to the City of Smiles where he’ll act as some sort of an ambassador role for the All-Star contingent.
READ: PBA: Tyler Tio continues stellar showing for Phoenix
Meanwhile, Blackwater’s Christian David was named as replacement for injured Rain or Shine center Keith Datu in the Rookies, Sophomores, Juniors game on Saturday.
David will suit up for Team Stalwarts against Team Greats in the game featuring some of the best first-to-third year players.
Santi Santillan is also replacing Datu as Rain or Shine’s representative in both the Obstacle Challenge and the three-point shootout for frontcourt players.