Roger Pogoy apologizes for another ‘tongue’ taunt against San Miguel

TNT wingman Roger Pogoy was chosen as the best player in TNT’s Finals Game 1 victory over San Miguel last Sunday in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The 30-year old Cebuano waxed hot throughout the match and finished with 26 points spiked by 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point country. He dropped 10 all-important points in the 3rd frame as the Tropang Giga battled back from a 12-point halftime deficit and entered the payoff period armed with a 6-point advantage.

Despite the recognition, Pogoy was in no mood to celebrate after he was reprimanded by his team for another ‘tongue’ taunting incident.

“Maganda ‘yung laro ko, pero may nagawa ako na ‘yun ang pinaka-hate namin sa team namin. May isang instance doon na lumabas ‘yung dila ko, so nag-sorry talaga ako,” said the 2017 PBA Rookie of the Year during the post-game presser.

“Pati kay Marcio [Lassiter], nag-sorry ako, kay Chris Ross. ‘Yun ang pinaka-ayaw sa team talaga namin eh. So parang nadala ako sa emosyon. Nag-sorry ako kila Kuya Jayson [Castro], kila Coach Chot [Reyes],” he added.

Reyes praised Pogoy for his accountability but admitted that he almost gave the former FEU standout the boot after his lamentable move.

“Muntik na siyang umuwi noon. Sinave lang siya ng mga teammates niya,” said the PBA’s one and only six-time Coach of the Year.

“Our players know that that’s a no-no in our team. You see our players, ‘pag naka-shoot sila, walang gumaganon, walang gumaganon. Bawal talaga sa amin. It’s good na si Roger na ang nagsabi,” he added.

This is already the second time that Pogoy made the ‘tongue’ taunt at an SMB player after stealing the ball. He first did it against Chris McCullough during Game 1 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals in August of 2019. He apologized and used the same excuse as he did now.