TNT Tropang Giga’s Roger Pogoy along with JP Erram and Calvin Oftana during Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Roger Pogoy could’ve been the difference maker for TNT in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Unfortunately, the two-way shooting guard had quite the struggles at Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday that ultimately spelled doom for the Tropang Giga.
READ: Ginebra survives TNT in PBA Finals game full of atrocious misses
“Nanggigil lang (I just got too eager),” said Pogoy in jest after their 71-70 loss at the hands of Ginebra.
“I was too frustrated earlier. I even took shots off-balanced. I have to work on that next game. It’s a good thing that I sank some of those shots in the second half because I was a bit more relaxed.”
Pogoy finished with 11 points. On paper those numbers weren’t half-bad in a low scoring game.
Unfortunately, Pogoy struggled mightily, missing eight of his 12 shots for a cold 33.3 percent field goal shooting clip.
But he made up for some of his struggles down the stretch.
READ: PBA Finals: RHJ laments missing game-winner vs Ginebra in Game 2
The Gin Kings led the Tropang Giga, 67-65, in the last five minutes of regulation before Pogoy was left open in the corner and sank a three-ball to put TNT in the driver’s seat, 68-67, with 3:56 left.
Unfortunately, that was all she wrote.
“I wish I sank one more because I thought the momentum was already on my end. We got a stop but they also got a stop,” Pogoy said.
Coach Tim Cone was certainly one of the guys who felt the most relief after seeing Pogoy have a subpar shooting night.
After seeing Pogoy score 15 in Game 1 built on five explosive baskets from the three-point area, Cone surely put Pogoy in the squad’s drawing board.
“Roger has those incredible nights where, when you play him, you can only hope he doesn’t have one of those nights. Tonight wasn’t one of those nights,” said a relieved Cone.
“We targeted him a bit better this time around, we were a but more aware, which is something that we’ll adjust to as the series go on,” the top coach added.
Pogoy’s shooting will be something to monitor for Game 3 this Wednesday at Philsports Arena.