Shooter Pogoy’s ‘trigger’ healing

Even with his right pinky and ring fingers heavily taped, Roger Pogoy continued to join the Gilas Pilipinas workouts.

Pogoy fractured his pinky during last season's Governors' Cup at the height of the championship series between his team, TNT, and fierce rival Barangay Ginebra. But he claims he is now close to full recovery.

However, the dead-shot Cebuano swingman is taking it slowly to not aggravate the injury. He is now doing strengthening procedures.

So far, Pogoy can't catch direct, hard passes. But he could anticipate bounce passes and hand offs.

He is more active, though, in the shooting drills and was one among the last players to leave the gym.

"I just have to take it slowly when it comes to receiving hard passes," said Pogoy in an interview with Daily Tribune. "But, I think I can do it."

Pogoy was even spotted participating in the live drills.

"I tried to participate, but sometimes, I'm bothered since I am coming off an injury, but I put a heavy tape on it."

A member of the Gilas Pilipinas team since 2017, Pogoy was part of the national team in the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, but he could only hope he'll recover in time to get an opportunity to play in the biggest basketball event.

But he said he could only hope for the best and will continue to support the team whether he makes the World Cup final roster.

"I'm being treated day-by-day," Pogoy added.

"I'm trying to get the feel of it. It's frustrating. I should have been in a much better shape had it not been for the injury, but that's part of the life of being an athlete. Injuries are our worst enemies."