BY WAYLON GALVEZ
RR Pogoy’s injury has forced Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone to drop him from the roster, one week before the national team opens its campaign in the 30th Southeast Asian Games here.
Pogoy, a sweet-shooting guard, hurt his back during the TNT KaTropa’s game against Magnolia in the quarterfinal playoffs of the PBA Governors’ Cup last Monday.
TNT won against Magnolia, 93-87, to advance in the semifinal round.
Pogoy was helped off the court in the final moments of the fourth period, and Gilas team manager Gabby Cui confirmed the former Rookie of the Year has a bulging disc that needs a week rest before he can start rehabilitation.
Cone named Pogoy to the final 12 that will aim for an 18th gold medal for the Philippines in the biennial meet.
“RR Pogoy injured his back in his last game against Magnolia and the prognosis is he will need a couple of weeks before he can return to the court. That unfortunately will eliminate him from the Gilas lineup. It’s a big blow because he’s one of our best shooters and two-way players,” said Cone. “He will be difficult to replace. At this point we are exploring various scenarios before we settle on our response to RR’s exclusion.”
The national team opens its campaign against Singapore on Dec. 4, before it meets Vietnam on Dec. 6 and takes on Myanmar on Dec. 7 for preliminary Group A action at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia are in Group B.
The good news for Gilas is that Cone can name a replacement for Pogoy from the ‘long list’ submitted by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) to retain the 12-man squad.
SEA Games basketball competitions manager Bernie Atienza said that there are 18 players on the ‘long list’ submitted by Gilas Pilipinas management.
From the 12 that Cone picked, the remaining players on the long list are Jayson Castro, Scottie Thomson, Greg Slaughter, Paul Lee, Ian Sangalang and Art dela Cruz.
“Players who are injured before the actual competition can be replaced,” said Atienza.
