FROM THE University of Cebu (UC) to the training pool of the Gilas Pilipinas, Roger Ray Pogoy has indeed come a long way.
On Monday, the proud son of Talisay City found himself in the presence of some of the country’s finest basketball players after he and fellow Far Eastern University stalwart Mac Belo were invited to join the Gilas practice.
Though he just sat on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, the former UC juniors ace cherished the opportunity to soak in the experience and knowledge of the veterans in attendance and from head coach, New Zealander-American Tab Baldwin.
“I’m so happy because it’s a great opportunity to practice with the PBA players,” Pogoy told Cebu Daily News.
Pogoy said he and Belo were invited to the practice sessions by way of Gilas assistant Josh Reyes, who incidentally is also on the coaching staff of the Tamaraws.
“Coach Josh (Reyes) said we could join practice because at times the Gilas lack players because of their commitments with their PBA teams,” he said.
He said although he is just a practice player, he is cherishing every moment with the national squad.
“My mind set is to grab the opportunity and give my all because it is not always that you get to practice with a team like that,” Pogoy added.
The 6-foot-3 Pogoy has seen his stock rise of late. He helped FEU to the UAAP crown with his late-game heroics in the deciding Game 3 of their finals against the University of Santo Tomas and is now playing for Phoenix-FEU in the PBA D-League.