Gilas still mulling Pogoy replacement in SEA Games roster

MANILA, Philippines—Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone has yet to name a replacement for injured wing Roger Pogoy

but he does have a shortlist of players ready to suit up for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Cone said the team will pick Pogoy’s replacement from Scottie Thompson, Greg Slaughter, or Art dela Cruz, who are still practicing with the team despite not making it to the original final roster.

“At this point, it’s obviously going to be Greg, Scottie, or Art because those guys are here and have been with us,” said Cone Thursday at Upper Deck Sports Center.

“They’re doing the work and they know the system. It’ll be one of them, we just haven’t made a decision yet.”

Pogoy will miss the Philippines’ bid for a 13th straight gold medal in the Games after sustaining a bulged disc in his back in TNT’s quarterfinals victory over Magnolia in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Cone said they have to decide Pogoy’s replacement by Dec. 3, a day before they open their campaign against Singapore.

The 2-way specialist is the second player in the Gilas pool to be sidelined from the team after TNT teammate Jayson Castro suffered a soleus muscle strain in late October.

Cone said losing two guards who’ve experienced play in the Fiba Worlds is a big blow to the team especially with Pogoy and Castro having suited up for the Philippines several times over the past years.

“Jayson is, of course, a premier point guard, you saw him play in the quarterfinals and he was amazing,” said Cone who even predicted a Best Player of the Conference award for Castro.

“RR was really our best two-way player in terms of offense and defense. He’s a great defender, a great shooter, and he can create his own shot. He’s one of the up-and-coming premier players in the league. Eventually, he’s going to be a top-3 or top-5 player in the league.”