'Wolverine' Pogoy braves injury for impressive night vs. Phoenix

RR Pogoy played through an ankle injury for another 30-point game. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--With all the PBA players a far cry from the optimal match fitness they should have due to the COVID-19 pandemic even during this ongoing bubble season, even a simple ankle injury to a star could prove fatal for one team's bid.

When RR Pogoy injured his ankle in TNT's last game against San Miguel--the same outing where Terrence Romeo suffered his season ending dislocated shoulder--many speculated on how it will affect the PLDT franchise's season entering a showdown against fellow undefeated team Phoenix on Monday night.

If Tropang Giga coach Bong Ravena is to be asked, he would prefer Pogoy sitting out their clash with the Fuel Masters.

"For us coaches, we're supposed to let him rest," Ravena said.

However, he bared that Pogoy insisted on playing this "very important game."

"He wants to play," Ravena continued.

Pogoy, bum foot and all, played as if he is 100 percent healthy.

The shooting guard dropped 30 points on Phoenix to lead TNT to a 110-91 win at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

[Related Story: 2nd half blast tows TNT over Phoenix in battle of unbeaten teams]

And Ravena was reminded of a certain action cartoon character.

"We call him 'The Wolverine'," he further said.

Ravena added that the two days off somehow helped Pogoy's cause.

"Buti na lang may two days kami na bakante," Ravena further said, adding that he eventually let him play after noticing that he looked fine during the warm-ups.

The Tropang Giga will another two-day break before taking on the Blackwater Elite--and former head coach Nash Racela--on Thursday night.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno_