Extra work paying off for Pogoy

MANILA, Philippines — Now in the PBA annals as one of only four local players to ever make 10 triples in a single game, TNT sniper Roger “RR” Pogoy credited his extra shooting drills every practice and the trust given by the KaTropa’s high-scoring import and efficient assist-man Terrence Jones for this personal milestone.

Pogoy lit up the Big Dome scoreboard with his 10-of-18 clip from rainbow territory, cashing in mostly on kickouts sent by Jones en route to scoring a new career high of 38 markers and leading TNT to a 104-96 drubbing of Barangay Ginebra.

“Every practice I see to it I’m already there one hour before for extra work, then after practice, I do more shooting drills. It’s paying off,” said the former Far Eastern University standout, who joined Allan Caidic, Kenneth Duremdes and Marcio Lassiter in the elite 10-triple club. 

The Cebuano ace gave half the credit to Jones, who has shown his passing skills in TNT’s recent outings.

“He’s a big boost to me. He helps me get my rhythm. From the start, he’s already passing me the ball,” said Pogoy. “Terrence always tells me everytime he gives me the ball, I should go for it and not think twice. With him telling me that, I’ve become confident.”

The third-year guard has become Jones’ favorite target.

“That’s my guy,” he said of Pogoy. “I tell him to shoot the ball everytime he touches it and today, he had a great game. And it’s gonna be those nights when you know they’re double-teaming me and I believe in my guys 100 percent to knock down those shots, and Roger did that for us tonight.”