Roger Pogoy has taken a new role as TNT KaTropa's main source of offense -- a task that seems perfectly fit for him.
Pogoy is averaging a league-best 23.7 points through three games this conference, an impressive number for the third-year forward who is known as a defensive lynchpin dating back to his collegiate days at Far Eastern University.
Injuries to Troy Rosario (nose) and Jericho Cruz (hamstring) plus the departure of Terrence Romeo, who was traded to San Miguel Beer in the offseason, has forced Pogoy to embrace the demanding duty.
"Parang kinakabahan nga ako sa role na yun kasi sa FEU pa lang, defensive player na talaga ako," said Pogoy after TNT snapped a two-game slump with an 85-80 victory over NLEX at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
"Ngayon, parang tinetake ko as a challenge sa sarili ko yun kasi binibigyan talaga ako ng play para lang sa opensa ko," he added.
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The national team pool member is also dominant off the boards, ranked second in rebounds with an average of 11.3 per contest. San Miguel Beer slotman June Mar Fajardo leads the category with an average of 12.0 boards.
Pogoy started the season by scoring 21 points and cornering 16 rebounds in the KaTropa's 90-79 setback to Ginebra last Jan. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Pogoy followed it up by dropping a career-high 30 points and 12 rebounds last Saturday, that did not mater but TNT absorbed a 93-84 double overtime loss to Phoenix last Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Against NLEX, Pogoy netted 20 points including a 3-point shot with 43.5 second left to help the KaTropa barge into the win column..
"Kung ganito lang palagi, kahit hindi ako umiskor ng 30 basta manalo," he said. "Kahit 10 points or five points, okay lang sa akin basta manalo." (JT)
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