RR Pogoy determined to play despite hamstring issue ahead of pivotal Game 5

For Roger Pogoy, the PBA Finals have never been about comfort—or caution.

Even after re-aggravating his hamstring in TNT’s emphatic Game 4 win, the veteran winger is not entertaining the idea of watching from the sidelines as the Philippine Cup Finals swing into a pivotal Game 5. For Pogoy, the decision is personal, driven less by medical timelines and more by loyalty to the jersey he wears.

“‘Di ko lang alam kung papayag sila, pero kung ako, ‘pag wala lang talaga, ‘pag ma-feel ko na walang sakit, lalaro ako,” Pogoy told reporters moments after TNT’s 110-87 rout of San Miguel at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.   

TNT’s blowout victory evened the best-of-seven series at 2–2, but it came with a familiar sense of unease. Pogoy went down at the 10:40 mark of the second quarter while scrambling for a loose ball against Jericho Cruz, immediately clutching his leg. He would not return, finishing with six points—all from beyond the arc—along with two rebounds and an assist in just seven minutes of action.

“Nung nag-agawan kami ng bola ni Jericho, pagyuko ko, na-stretch ‘yung hamstring,” Pogoy recalled.

The setback only added to a nagging injury that has followed him through the postseason. Pogoy has been dealing with the hamstring issue since Game 4 of TNT’s semifinal series against Meralco on January 11, only returning to the floor in Game 3 of the Finals.

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“Hindi pa talaga ako fully healed,” he admitted.

Still, sitting out has never felt like a real option.

“Pinilit ko lang naman talaga kasi gusto ko talaga maglaro. Ayoko iwanan yung team ko na sila lang maglalaro, tapos ang sakit ng pagkatalo nung Game Two.

“Kaya nung Game Three… Tinanong pa nga ako ni Coach Chot, ‘Ano ba, kaya mo? Baka bumigay ‘yan.’ Sabi ko, ‘Oo kaya Coach, laro ko ‘to.’ Ako talaga. Ako nagpilit talaga na gusto ko maglaro,” he continued.

Pogoy’s stance places TNT at a crossroads ahead of Friday’s do-or-die Game 5 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. His availability will ultimately depend on how his body responds—and whether the coaching staff and medical team greenlight his return.

Asked what happens if the decision is taken out of his hands, Pogoy could only smile.

“Pag-usapan namin,” he said with a chuckle.

For now, the message is clear: if there’s a chance to play, Pogoy wants it—pain, risk, and all.

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