By ADRIAN STEWART CO

TNT Tropang Giga winger Roger Pogoy will attempt to make a comeback during their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on Sunday, January 14.

According to Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa, the team have decided to push back the return date of the Cebuano three-point gunner as he is still far from his game shape.

“Roger needs to get in better shape and build more leg strength. The Phoenix game is the target,” Lastimosa said in an interview following their 119-112 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters recently.

Pogoy previously attempted to make a comeback during the Tropang Giga’s Christmas Day game against defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, but he was not activated for the game.

The former Far Eastern University Tamaraws standout was earlier ruled out for the rest of the import-laden conference after being diagnosed with myocarditis during the offseason.

However, Lastimosa said Pogoy passed every medical test over the past weeks, paving the way for his upcoming return to the shorthanded Tropang Giga.

“May mga cardiologists na nag-check sa kanya. Every two weeks, mino-monitor pa rin si Roger pero ‘yung last niya na supposed to be [magnetic resonance imaging], stress test, treadmill, lahat, he passed everything,” Lastimosa said.

“We miss Roger now that Mikey [Williams] isn’t there. Kaya, at least, papasok si Roger, which is a consolation,” he said.

“He will be a good addition for us this conference,” he added.

Pogoy averaged 18.3 points, four rebounds and two assists per game last season for the Tropang Giga, which captured the PBA Governors’ Cup at the expense of the Gin Kings.

The Cebuano cager last played competitive basketball as part of the Gilas Pilipinas team in the 2023 FIBA World Cup before he was diagnosed with his ailment./ASC, WDJ