By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
What a big blow for the TNT Tropang Giga.
Roger Pogoy, one of the team’s main gunners, will be sidelined for the rest of the PBA season due to a rare heart condition.
The update was announced by TNT’s head coach Jojo Lastimosa who added that the Cebuano shooting guard will miss the entire PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
According to the medical results, Pogoy was diagnosed with myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle (myocardium).
In addition, myocarditis’ common cause is viral infection and is labeled to be rare because the patient often has no symptoms.
Myocarditis can reduce the heart’s ability to pump blood and can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid irregular heart rhythms.
This condition became the reason why Pogoy had to beg off when he was initially selected to become a member of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team for the Asian Games.
Before the final findings, Pogoy still suited up for the national team and played all games during the FIBA World Cup held in Manila.
The scoring machine was a vital piece in every Gilas game and was their designated main shooter while also abusing the smaller international guards at the post.
Coach Lastimosa will have to bank on his pool of backcourt as Pogoy averaged double digits in scoring and is one of their locker room leaders together with Jayson Castro and their superstar import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The PBA will kick off its import-laced conference this coming November and the Tropang Giga is looking to defend their championship title without Pogoy.
Speedy recovery, Roger!