Chot Reyes confirms Roger Pogoy will miss start of PBA finals with left hamstring injury

The TNT Tropang Giga punched their ticket to the 2025 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals after a thrilling 99–96 victory over the Meralco Bolts in Game 5 of their best-of-seven semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, January 14. With the win, TNT advances to the finals for the fourth consecutive conference, solidifying their status as one of the league’s perennial powerhouses.

The Tropang Giga were led by Jordan Heading, who exploded for a game-high 31 points, dominating both ends of the floor and proving once again why he is considered one of TNT’s most reliable offensive weapons. Supporting him, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Calvin Oftana contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively, providing crucial scoring depth and defensive stability in a tightly contested matchup. TNT’s ability to execute in clutch moments ultimately separated them from a resilient Meralco squad that pushed them to the limit throughout the game.

Despite the celebratory mood, TNT faces a significant setback heading into the finals: the absence of Roger Pogoy, the team’s best perimeter scorer and a stalwart defender. Pogoy has yet to recover from the left hamstring injury that forced him out of Game 5 and has now been confirmed to miss at least the opening games of the finals.

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Head coach Chot Reyes, speaking on Power & Play, admitted that Pogoy’s recovery timeline is uncertain and expressed caution regarding the star guard’s return.

WINNING COMBO FOR TNT?

TNT Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes praised his team for not giving up despite being down five points late in the game.

Reyes also credited his coaching staff for their inputs, which led to the four-point shot by Rey Nambatac. | via @PaigeJavier pic.twitter.com/LsfDNYtBtp

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) January 14, 2026

“It’s very unpredictable. It doesn’t look good to be very honest about it. Alam mo ‘yung hamstring muscle, hindi naman ‘yan nate-therapy. It’s just rest and recovery. I don’t see him playing at least in the first two games. I would be really surprised kung makalaro siya,” Reyes said.

He added, “So we are praying mapabilis ‘yung kanyang recovery, yung healing process. But like we said, there is nothing we can do about it. Hindi yan puwedeng strengthen, hindi ‘yan puwedeng palaksin.”

The 33-year-old Pogoy reinjured his hamstring in Game 4 at the Mall of Asia Arena, where he could only log 64 seconds in the first quarter before limping out, a stark reminder of the fragility of hamstring injuries in professional basketball. When healthy, Pogoy has been an integral component of TNT’s system, averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists over the four semifinals games he played. He also ranks among TNT’s top four free-throw shooters at 80 percent, underscoring his value in high-pressure situations.

With Pogoy sidelined, TNT will likely rely even more on Heading, Ganuelas-Rosser, Oftana, and other role players to carry the offensive load and maintain defensive intensity. Coach Reyes emphasized that the team must adjust its rotations and strategy to compensate for the temporary absence of their star guard.

The Philippine Cup Finals are set to tip off on Wednesday, January 21, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, where TNT will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The series promises to test TNT’s depth and resilience, as they aim to capture another championship while navigating the challenge of a key player sidelined during the crucial opening games.

TNT fans will be watching closely, hopeful that Pogoy can return sooner rather than later, but aware that even without him, the Tropang Giga have the talent, experience, and leadership to compete at the highest level.

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