TNT Tropang 5G is taking a cautious, wait-and-see approach on the availability of RR Pogoy for the upcoming PBA Philippine Cup Finals, with the team determined not to rush the veteran forward back from a hamstring injury.
Pogoy was sidelined after suffering a pulled hamstring during TNT’s tense 99-96 series-clinching win over the Meralco Bolts last Wednesday, an injury that immediately raised concerns as the Tropang 5G prepare for another title run. Head coach Chot Reyes stressed that Pogoy’s health will come before any Finals urgency.
“Hopefully. But you know how it is with pulled hamstrings because that’s very unpredictable,” Reyes said.
The injury occurred just minutes into TNT’s Game 4 victory last Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena, with team doctors later diagnosing Pogoy with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. While considered mild, such injuries often require careful monitoring, especially with the intensity of Finals basketball looming.
Pogoy has been a key figure in TNT’s march to a fourth straight Finals appearance, providing steady outside shooting while anchoring the team’s perimeter defense. His absence would leave a noticeable void on both ends of the floor.
“It really is going to depend on how quickly he can heal,” Reyes said. “One thing’s sure: we’re not gonna rush him back. We’re going to play him when he’s ready.”
TNT wrapped up the semifinals with a 4-1 series win over Meralco, becoming the first team to book a Finals berth as it eyes redemption after falling short of a Grand Slam bid in last season’s Philippine Cup. Whether Pogoy will be part of that quest now hinges entirely on how his recovery unfolds in the coming days.
