Roger Pogoy grateful to be back on PBA Finals after health scare

TNT’s Roger Pogoy during the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals press conference.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—A year ago, TNT star Roger Pogoy wasn’t even sure if he’d be able to step foot on a basketball court again after a health scare.

Now, Pogoy finds himself back on the PBA’s biggest stage as he tries to help the Tropang Giga win another championship.

However, the road back to the PBA Finals was certainly not easy for the TNT captain.

READ: PBA Finals: TNT-Ginebra duel brings together Gilas personalities

“Mentally, I had such a hard time. For three or four months, I wasn’t doing anything but when I got back, it’s like it was nothing. It got easier because I know myself and my body to think, ‘Oh, that was nothing,’” Pogoy told Inquirer Sports in Filipino during the Governors’ Cup Finals press conference on Thursday.

“I didn’t even think of getting back to the Finals. The first thing I thought of was to play and test myself.”

In October of last year not long after he suited up for Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup, Pogoy was diagnosed with myocarditis, a rare heart condition that reduces the heart’s ability to pump blood.

After being sidelined for several months, Pogoy was cleared to return and made his first game back in January 2024.

Pogoy, however, was still trying to regain his rhythm and form as TNT was bounced in the Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. Pogoy and the Tropang Giga were also eliminated in the quarterfinal round of the Philippine Cup the following conference.

This time, Pogoy feels he’s back to his old self again.

“I can do things now like nothing happened.’ It just kept going from there and now, I’m back in the Finals.”

READ: PBA Finals: Chot Reyes choosing to focus on present vs Ginebra

Just like Pogoy, Ginebra guard LA Tenorio made a successful return on the court after a bout with Stage 3 colon cancer last year.

“That’s a good and heartwarming story,” Pogoy said, pertaining to Tenorio’s own battle with a life-threatening illness.

“I thought about that. Me and Kuya LA stopped playing. It’s a great story for the two of us that we had to overcome long layoffs and serious illness. It’s a really good story. It’s an inspiration for me.”

The PBA Finals rematch between Ginebra and TNT begins Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.