Chot Reyes praises Roger Pogoy and Kelly Williams for playing through injuries in gutsy Game 1 win

The TNT Tropang Giga held on after squandering a 24-point lead and benefited from a favorable—but contentious—officiating decision to defeat the San Miguel Beermen, 99–96, in Game 1 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 13.

Roger Pogoy led the way for TNT in his return from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for the team’s previous four games. The veteran guard finished with 23 points on 7-of-11 shooting and received strong support from Jordan Heading (19 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds) and Calvin Oftana (13 points, 9 rebounds). Kelly Williams, another player returning from injury, also made his presence felt with nine points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

What made this victory even more special was that both Pogoy and Williams are still dealing with injuries, yet chose to play through the pain and give it their all in Game 1.

Coach Chot Reyes on backlash over Tautuaa’s nullified dunk

TNT head coach Chot Reyes said the team refused to be distracted by the social media noise surrounding Moala Tautuaa’s nullified dunk in their 99-96 Game 1 win in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals. pic.twitter.com/5Dl1Yot8Dt

— Fastbreak (@fastbreaknewsph) July 14, 2025

“Willingness to win lang talaga, ‘yun ‘yung nagbigay ng kumpiyansa sa amin. Ang dami na naming pinagdaanan—ngayon pa ba kami susuko? Sa totoo lang, hindi pa ako kasama sa 5-on-5 talaga, takbo-takbo lang ako. Sinabi ko lang na ‘pag pinasok ako, titira lang ako. Buti na lang pumasok,” Pogoy said after the win.

TNT head coach Chot Reyes paid tribute to the duo of Pogoy and Williams for playing through pain but admitted that the team’s management is still taking a cautious approach moving forward.

“We are trying to manage the minutes of so many players. We knew that we were going to have a huge disadvantage because of the depth of San Miguel, so ang usapan lang namin is hang on as much as we can, and then find a way to win in the end. Hopefully, we can increase those minutes as the series goes by. But it’s a testament to the courage of these guys, playing through those injuries,” Reyes added.

Reyes will hope that both Pogoy and Williams can get some important rest and recovery, as Game 2 of the Finals is scheduled for Wednesday, July 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

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