RUST from a seven-month break may have played a factor to most players in the Philippine Basketball Association’s 45th season restart, but definitely not to TNT Tropang Giga gunner RR Pogoy.
The 6-foot-2 guard showed up with guns ablaze inside the Clark bubble, erupting for a career-best and a consistent performance in steering unbeaten TNT on top in the opening week of the Philippine Cup.
Pogoy shot the lights out of the Smart 5G-powered Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center with a new career-high 45 points he spiked with 10 three pointers in TNT’s 100-95 win against Alaska in the opener.
He was steady with 11 points, nine rebounds and two steals as the Tropang Giga cruised past Terrafirma, 112-101, before bearing a sprain ankle injury in a 15-point, four-rebound job in a convincing 107-88 convincing victory against reigning champion San Miguel Beer.
The numbers propelled the 28-year-old guard from Minglanilla, Cebu, to become the first PBA Press Corps (PBAPC) bubble Player of the Week for the period October 11 to 18. Pogoy beat teammate Ray Parks Jr. and Phoenix Super LPG stalwart Matthew Wright for the weekly citation given by members of the media covering the PBA beat.
Rain or Shine guard Adrian Wong, meanwhile, emerged as the first recipient of the PBAPC Rookie of the Week for being the first freshman to be named Best Player of the Game with 15 points, two rebounds and two assists in the team’s gutsy 70-68 win over Northport.
Like TNT, the Elasto Painters, featuring four rookies, got off to a 3-0 start in the opening week.
“I didn’t expect my game to be like this, but during the lockdown, I tried my best to be in shape. And I’m happy my effort is paying off,”said Pogoy, the sharp-shooting Gilas Pilipinas sniper, who normed 23. 7 points on 44-percent three-point average, 7.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.0 steals per game.
But as big as his numbers were during the opening week, Pogoy put premium on TNT’s sizzling 3-0 start as the most important stat so far for him.
“But I’m happier with the team’s performance. But me and my teammates know there’s nothing to celebrate at this point, it’s a long way to go,” he added.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, meanwhile, guns for a share of the lead with TNT Tropang Giga when the Gin Kings goes up against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the match set at 6:45 p.m. at the Angeles University Foundation gym with talks of Calvin Abueva getting back in uniform hovering over the bubble.
The Gin Kings, presently tied with Rain or Shine in second place with a 2-0 record, are hoping to sustain their streak behind the consistent Stanley Pringle and the huge improvement of big man Prince Caperal.
“We have a very tough Phoenix team coming up. That’s our focus right now,” said Ginebra Coach Tim Cone.
Phoenix are currently 2-1 won-lost.
Northport (0-3) faces Northern Luzon Expressway (0-3) in a battle of winless team in the first game at 4 p.m.